NIGERIA: DAS MOSS'S MEETINGS WITH MOD AND NSA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000219 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, INR/AA DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL MASS NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: DAS MOSS'S MEETINGS WITH MOD AND NSA Classified By: Ambassador Robin Sanders for reasons 1.4. (b & d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: During January 24 meetings at the Ministry of Defense (MOD) and the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA),Deputy Assistant Secretary Todd Moss expressed U.S. concerns and views on Nigerian peacekeeping commitments, the Niger Delta crisis, and U.S./Nigerian counterterrorism cooperation. Minister of Defense Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed indicated that the GON was moving forward on peacekeeping deployments, was making progress in finding a political solution to Niger Delta violence, and welcomed a limited U.S. role in monitoring the possible rise of terror groups in northern Nigeria. He ended his comments with advice for the U.S. on how to deal with President Bashir and the Government of Sudan. National Security Adviser Abdullahi Mukhtar welcomed continued USG cooperation and assistance in dealing with mutual regional security concerns, and discussed in detail the history of the Niger Delta conflict. END SUMMARY. -------------- Ministry of Defense -------------- ¶2. (C) Peacekeeping: Affirming that the GON wishes to be "deeply involved in anything the U.S. wishes to pursue" to improve the quality of life, security, and economic opportunities for Africans, Minister Ahmed said that the GON was "very committed to peacekeeping in Sudan." He further reminded the U.S. delegation that, pending the receipt of U.S.-furnished equipment, an additional Nigerian battalion was ready for deployment there. Concerning AMISOM deployment, Minister Ahmed said that there were no hitches with the African Union save the Memorandum of Understanding, which he expected to be resolved shortly. The troops, he said, had been ready for the past year, and only required the equipment the USG offered, the list for which had only recently been forwarded to Post by the Chief of Defense Staff's office. ¶3. (C) The Delta: Minister Ahmed claimed that ten days ago President Umaru Yar'Adua had met with the leaders of Delta civic and ethnic groups, discussing solutions to the crisis and offering them development projects once violence died down. He also acknowledged that the GON needs to regain the confidence of oil companies, proffering the Joint Task Force as "alert and looking for any measure they could take" to put down criminality. ¶4. (C) Counterterrorism in the North and dealing with Sudan: While U.S. intelligence cooperation was welcome, any direct U.S. involvement in Nigerian counterterror operations would be counterproductive. Ahmed said that having a Muslim president made many northerners restless for the creation of a more explicitly Islamic Nigeria; he claimed, however, that the GON was closely monitoring the security environment. Minister Ahmed ended the meeting with advice that in order to make progress in Sudan, the U.S. should focus on recruiting peacekeeping troops from "comfortable" countries whose presence Bashir and the Sudanese people would find acceptable, i.e. Arab/Muslim countries, not "northern" ones. By way of example, countries like Norway would be difficult for the Sudanese to accept given the problems of the recent past with cartoons from Scandinavia. -------------- National Security Advisor -------------- ¶5. (C) NSA Mukhtar recounted the history behind the conflict in the Niger Delta, discussed counterterrorism issues in Nigeria, and requested logistical assistance, enhanced intelligence sharing, and aid in ending oil bunkering (particularly in determining which countries are the largest beneficiaries of bunkered oil) and stopping the traffic of arms into the Delta by international arms cartels. ¶6. (U) THIS CABLE HAS BEEN CLEARED BY DAS MOSS. ¶7. (SBU) Participants: ABUJA 00000219 002 OF 002 Ministry of Defense -------------- U.S. side: DAS Moss Ambassador DATT ODC Chief PolOff (Notetaker) Nigerian side: Minister of Defense Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed Chief of Defense Staff General Owoye Andrew Azazi Gen. K. Ekwo, representing the Chief of Army Staff Admiral K. Ibrahim, representing Chief of Naval Staff Air Vice Marshal O. Agwungwu, representing Chief of Air Staff National Security Advisor -------------- U.S. side: DAS Moss Ambassador RAO Chief PolOff (Notetaker) Nigerian side: NSA General Abdullahi Sarki Mukhtar Mr. Imohe, Director General of the National Intelligence Agency Colonel Musa (Ret'd),Office of the NSA Abubakar Lili, Director of Internal Affairs, Office of the NSA Mr. Uche, Government Secretariat SANDERS