NIGERIA: MITEE DISCUSSES NIGER DELTA TECHNICAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 001951

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2018
TAGS: PGOV NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: MITEE DISCUSSES NIGER DELTA TECHNICAL
COMMITTEE'S OUTREACH, MILITARY ISSUES, AND ASSISTANCE NEEDS

Classified By: A/DCM Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b & d).


1. (C) During their three hour September 30 meeting (other
subjects covered in septel) the Ambassador (accompanied by
Poloff, notetaker) and Ledum Mitee, Chairman of the new Niger
Delta Technical Committee (NDTC),discussed the committee's
outreach. Mitee reported that the NDTC has received over
2,000 inputs from the general public and has engaged with
array of militants, including "General Boyloaf", Farah
Dagogo, and Ateke Tom. Mitee opined that efforts should be
made to bring in those militants who can be brought
(especially the lower level "foot soldiers", and include them
in a disarmament, demobilization and rehabilitation process.
He noted that there needs to be a distinction between
"marginal militants" who can be reintegrated into society,
and "hardened criminals" who will have to be held accountable
for their actions. Mitee told the Ambassador that the
committee is seeking assistance from experts in civil
society; advice on best practices for disarmament; and
technical assistance. He asked for USG help in getting
access to the Presidency. The Ambassador offered to call the
new Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) in
this regard. She also told Mitee of the US-UK joint paper in
support of the NDTC, and said we might also be able to
provide assistance through our development partners. (For
other subjects -- including the committee's mandate,
structure, timeline and its challenges in working with the
Vice President's office -- see septel.) End Summary.

Outreach
--------------

2. (C) The new Chairman of the Niger Delta Technical
Committee (NDTC),Ledum Mitee, began his discussion by noting
that conflict in the Niger Delta is a national problem so the
committee is reaching out to the public. He specifically
noted that the committee has contacted the Emir of Kano and
the Sultan of Sokoto, and that it has received over 2,000
responses from the general public. He has also spoken with
militant leaders "General Boyloaf" (AKA Victor Ebikabowei),
Farah Dagogo, and Ateke Tom, but not yet from Commander
Mac'Iver. Mitee said that, in his first conversation with
Boyloaf by phone, the latter (who sounded drunk to Mitee)
asked him, "Why do you think you'll succeed?" Mitee told
Boyloaf that he needs peace more than Mitee does, and that
peace was the only route to amnesty for him. Boyloaf hung up
on him, but called Mitee back several days later, sounding
more sober, and added that he would to see what to committee
would produce. Mitee told Boyloaf that he would not meet him
face to face unless there was a cease-fire that was part of a
DDR process.


3. (C) Mitee said he has for many years engaged former Head
of State, retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar (who brought
Nigeria back to democracy in 1999 after the death of dictator
Sani Abacha) on national issues since Mitee's time in prison
and has since sought him out on the Niger Delta Technical
Committee and what should be done. Mitee discussed with
Abubakar the need to create a single core policy that applies
to Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa States. Mitee trusts Abubakar
and feels he can discuss issues openly with him. Mitee
agreed with the Ambassador that, unless changes are
coordinated throughout the three core Delta states, the
militants will continue to move from state to state depending
on where the military pressure is at the time.

DDR Questions
--------------

4. (C) On the question of disarmament, demobilization and
rehabilitation (DDR) Mitee said that the goal should be to
bring in those militants that you can and include them in the
DDR process. He is looking at Northern Ireland as an example
for office structure and coordination of DDR. He told the
Ambassador that people in the Delta region are tired of
shooting; they want amnesty and rehabilitation. He said that
the committee will allow representatives of the militants to
submit their views to the NDTC.


ABUJA 00001951 002 OF 002



5. (C) The Ambassador asked Mitee if the committee will
address the question of making a distinction between
militants and criminals. Mitee said there are clearly some
who are "marginal militants" who can be reintegrated into
society, for example those who kidnap for school fees, etc.
On the other hand, he said there were also some "hardened
criminals" who will have to be held responsible for their
crimes. At some point the government needs to move and
enforce the law, he said. He believes people will speak out
and identify criminals if they know that action will be taken
against them. On the other hand, if people know there is
impunity for crime, then crime becomes a culture. The
Ambassador asked if the NDTC was considering something like a
truth and reconciliation program for the militants to which
Mitee said there were a number of international practices he
wanted the NDTC to review.

Assistance
--------------

6. (C) Because of his concerns regarding the disconnect
between the Vice President's Office and the President's
Office (see septel) Mitee asked for assistance from the USG
in getting access to the Presidency. In response, the
Ambassador offered to call the new Secretary to the
Government of the Federation (SGF) noting some of the
challenges he raised. She also noted that Mitee needed to
find an ally in the Villa but outside of the Vice President's
office who is powerful, has authority, and has the ear of the
President, such as the SGF, Mahmud Yayle Ahmed. She offered
to contact Ahmed and facilitate such contact. The Ambassador
also said in her next meeting with President Yar'Adua she
will raise the issue.


7. (C) Mitee also asked about whom the committee might
contact for advice on best practices for disarmament. The
Ambassador suggested he contact the International
Organization for Migration (IOM) in Geneva. She suggested
that Mitee get information from IOM's website, and offered to
contact the DRL Bureau in the State Department to inquire if
it has any materials on DDR.


8. (C) Mitee said the committee would also need help from
people in civil society who know the issues and can act as
resource persons. He said he has already made arrangements
with Diamond Bank to borrow an accountant and research staff.
When the Ambassador asked him if Nigerian universities
(particularly in the Delta) could assist the committee, such
as by giving it a neutral workspace, Mitee said he had
proposed such an idea, but half of the committee members and
the Vice President did not agree. The Ambassador suggested
UNDP or the World Bank may be able to help in this regard.
Mitee said he was also hoping for some technical assistance
from the UNDP, but that the UNDP is frustrated with the
results of previous funding. He said the committee has also
contacted the World Bank ResRep, but has not yet met with
him.


9. (C) The Ambassador told Mitee that, while the committee
may not want an outside government to provide technical
assistance, the USG has already offered to help in various
ways if requested. She told him of the US-UK joint paper in
support of the committee. Mitee said the paper and
assistance would be welcomed, and that he does not understand
why the government would not "jump at" such offers.


10. (C) Mitee recently met with officers from the UK High
Commission who have offered to help get civil society groupsQinvolved - since the Vice President's office is not providing
resources. Mitee said the committee has identified five or
six resources people, but needs funds to pay and house them;
the UK has offered to help in this area. The Ambassador told
Mitee that we might also be able to help with this, if the
organizations were among our development partners.


11. (U) This cable is coordinated with Consulate Lagos.
Piascik