NIGER SECURITY UPDATE -- DECEMBER 12

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NIAMEY 001453 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W, INR/AA AND DS/ITA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MOPS PTER PGOV NG SUBJECT: NIGER SECURITY UPDATE -- DECEMBER 12 REF: (A) NIAMEY 1446 (B) NIAMEY 1412 NIAMEY 00001453 001.2 OF 002 -------------- MNJ threatens Republic day festivities -------------- ¶1. (U) On postings on its web site, the MNJ has denied planting the landmine in Tahoua and blamed the Nigerien Armed Forces (FAN) for the mine, as it had previously done regarding the Maradi landmine (ref A). It also warned against the GON going ahead with the December 18 Republic Day festivities in Tahoua. (FYI: Tahoua is some 400 kms by road northeast of Niamey. It is predominantly Hausa, but has a large Tuareg minority. Starting with last year's Republic Day celebration in Zinder, the festivities are to be rotated among the various regional capitals.) -------------- Donors compare notes -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Recent security incidents were the lead item on the agenda for the monthly donors' meeting on December 12. Following are some highlights: -- The person killed by the landmine in Tahoua was working on an EU financed project and was driving an EU project vehicle. He was the son of a former Defense Minister. There is no indication that he was targeted based on working on the EU project or being the son of a former minister; he was apparently just at the wrong place at the wrong time. -- The vehicle struck the mine on the access road to the VIP parking area of the wrestling stadium where some of the December 18 Republic Day festivities are scheduled to take place. -- There was a rumor (which we are trying to run down) that 17 landmines have been found in Tahoua since the landmine incident there. -- Many Embassies have restricted travel and issued warnings to their citizens following the Maradi and Tahoua landmine incidents. -- The French Ambassador is currently in Maradi. He had planned to travel on to Zinder, but will probably return to Niamey. -- One aid official reported hearing that the families of those killed in the December 9 incident in the north have reported that the vehicles in which the people were driving did not have bullet holes, and that the wounds of those killed were "precise." If true, this would lend credence to the MNJ claims that the men did not die in a firefight, but were executed. -------------- Diplomatic Corps to raise security issues -------------- ¶3. (SBU) There was a consensus at the donor's meeting that the diplomatic corps as a group should raise its concerns about the security situation, including what measures the GON is taking to address security concerns. The Ambassador has contacted the Chadian Ambassador, as dean of the diplomatic corps, regarding the arrangement of a meeting with appropriate senior GON officials. -------------- New rebel group, or just a new website? -------------- ¶4. (U) A new website (www.fpln.blogspot.com) appeared December 10 belonging to the previously unknown "Front des Patriotes pour la Liberation du Niger (FPLN)." The group says that it initially reacted to the creation of the MNJ by questioning its demands, but in fact those demands are justified. It claims to be a "political-military movement." It says that Tandja refuses to negotiate, and thus other means must be used to bring him to his senses, or even make him return to his homeland of Mauritania. (FYI: Tandja was born in Niger of a Nigerien mother, but his father was Mauritanian.) The group refers to issues associated with NIAMEY 00001453 002.2 OF 002 gold mining in its region. It claims to have a military wing with an experienced former Nigerien Armed Forces officer at the head of some 1,000 young Nigeriens. The political wing includes Nigeriens both in Niger and abroad. It claims to have received assistance from neighboring countries (which are not named). ¶5. (SBU) Comment: The reference to gold mining areas suggests the FPLN is based in the predominately Zarma area of western Niger. The MNJ has previously called on people of the west for support. The group may reflect discontent on the part of Zarma for what they see as President Tandja's campaign against former Prime Minister Amadou, who is from the west, as well as the anti-corruption campaign that has so far mainly targeted officials considered close to Amadou (ref B). We are skeptical of the FPLN's claim to have a 1,000 men under arms, but do not dismiss the possibility that it may have a military capability. ¶6. (U) Tripoli minimize considered. ALLEN