Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ABUJA1312
2008-07-09 13:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
how-toVZCZCXRO2867 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #1312 1911343 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 091343Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3314 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE 0294 RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 9554 RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001312
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: IS GAMBARI ON HIS WAY OUT?
REF: A. ABUJA 1248
B. ABUJA 1226
C. ABUJA 1043
Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001312
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: IS GAMBARI ON HIS WAY OUT?
REF: A. ABUJA 1248
B. ABUJA 1226
C. ABUJA 1043
Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
1. (SBU) Press reports from July 7 editions of several major
Nigerian newspapers claim that UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari will
be asked to step down from his position as chairman of the
Niger Delta Summit Steering Committee (reftels). With
headlines saying that "Yar'Adua Drops Gambari" (Daily Trust)
and "Gov't to Replace Gambari" (Guardian),Nigerian media
assert that the opposition to Gambari's involvement in the
summit has reached a critical mass, prompting President
Yar'Adua to search for a replacement for him. Certain key
stakeholders, such as prominent Niger Delta ethnic groups and
core Delta State governors, have said they will boycott the
summit if Gambari is involved. Opposition to Gambari's
appointment is largely based on comments he made in 1995
while Nigerian envoy to the UN under the Abacha regime,
saying that imprisoned, and later executed, Ogoni activist
Ken Saro-wiwa was a "common criminal." Some Delta
stakeholders have also objected to the idea of the
chairmanship being given to a Northerner.
2. (C) Raja Jandhyala (strictly protect),UN advisor on loan
to the Vice-President's office, which has the GON lead on
planning the summit, says that the news reports are the
result of the Vice-President's office leaking a proposal to
drop Gambari, and by doing so to try and force the
President's hand into doing so before he has fully made up
his mind. She says it is indeed a possibility that Gambari
could be removed, but that for now they are trying to find a
less up-front role for him. Either way, she says, the matter
should be settled by the end of the week.
3. (C) COMMENT: Whether press reports are true or not, we are
hearing here that Gambari (who did not want the position
initially) is not wrangling to keep the slot. In reftel A,
he told the Ambassador that he prefers not to be involved.
What the Administration does to save face on this -- either
keeping Gambari or not -- remains to be seen. Yar'Adua is on
the heels of coming back from the G-8 and will need to show
more leadership and truly try to get discussions on the Niger
Delta back on track. END COMMENT.
SANDERS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: IS GAMBARI ON HIS WAY OUT?
REF: A. ABUJA 1248
B. ABUJA 1226
C. ABUJA 1043
Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
1. (SBU) Press reports from July 7 editions of several major
Nigerian newspapers claim that UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari will
be asked to step down from his position as chairman of the
Niger Delta Summit Steering Committee (reftels). With
headlines saying that "Yar'Adua Drops Gambari" (Daily Trust)
and "Gov't to Replace Gambari" (Guardian),Nigerian media
assert that the opposition to Gambari's involvement in the
summit has reached a critical mass, prompting President
Yar'Adua to search for a replacement for him. Certain key
stakeholders, such as prominent Niger Delta ethnic groups and
core Delta State governors, have said they will boycott the
summit if Gambari is involved. Opposition to Gambari's
appointment is largely based on comments he made in 1995
while Nigerian envoy to the UN under the Abacha regime,
saying that imprisoned, and later executed, Ogoni activist
Ken Saro-wiwa was a "common criminal." Some Delta
stakeholders have also objected to the idea of the
chairmanship being given to a Northerner.
2. (C) Raja Jandhyala (strictly protect),UN advisor on loan
to the Vice-President's office, which has the GON lead on
planning the summit, says that the news reports are the
result of the Vice-President's office leaking a proposal to
drop Gambari, and by doing so to try and force the
President's hand into doing so before he has fully made up
his mind. She says it is indeed a possibility that Gambari
could be removed, but that for now they are trying to find a
less up-front role for him. Either way, she says, the matter
should be settled by the end of the week.
3. (C) COMMENT: Whether press reports are true or not, we are
hearing here that Gambari (who did not want the position
initially) is not wrangling to keep the slot. In reftel A,
he told the Ambassador that he prefers not to be involved.
What the Administration does to save face on this -- either
keeping Gambari or not -- remains to be seen. Yar'Adua is on
the heels of coming back from the G-8 and will need to show
more leadership and truly try to get discussions on the Niger
Delta back on track. END COMMENT.
SANDERS