Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08NIAMEY320
2008-03-17 11:08:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Niamey
Cable title:
NIGER: MNJ ATTACK IN THE SOUTH; POSSIBLE RANSOM
how-toVZCZCXRO6775 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHNM #0320 0771108 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 171108Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4195 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 0663 RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI PRIORITY RUZEHAA/CDR USEUCOM INTEL VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L NIAMEY 000320
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2012
TAGS: MOPS PGOV NG
SUBJECT: NIGER: MNJ ATTACK IN THE SOUTH; POSSIBLE RANSOM
FOR HOSTAGES
REF: NIAMEY 277 (NOTAL)
Classified By: Donald W. Koran, DCM, reasons 1.4 (b/d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L NIAMEY 000320
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2012
TAGS: MOPS PGOV NG
SUBJECT: NIGER: MNJ ATTACK IN THE SOUTH; POSSIBLE RANSOM
FOR HOSTAGES
REF: NIAMEY 277 (NOTAL)
Classified By: Donald W. Koran, DCM, reasons 1.4 (b/d)
1. (SBU) The MNJ claims on its website that it attacked the
military outpost of Banibangou the night of March 16/17. It
claims to have taken two gendarmes prisoner, and captured two
vehicles and all of the weapons at the outpost. Police and
French Embassy sources confirm the attack, although the
details remain sketchy. While the MNJ website locates
Banibangou is 200 kms west of Niamey, it is actually about
200 kms north, very near the Malian border. The incident
marks the first MNJ attack in southwestern Niger.
2. (U) The Nigerien media gave extensive coverage to the
return of 25 hostages who had been held by the MNJ (reftel).
The hostages included 24 Nigerien soldiers and the prefet of
Tanout. The Khaddafi foundation arranged the hostage
release, and the hostages were flown to Niamey March 10 on
plane leased by the Khaddafi foundation. The MNJ reportedly
continues to hold six hostages (not including any captured in
Banibandgou).
3. (C) The French DATT reported that Khaddafi may have paid
several hundred thousand dollars to the MNJ to win the
release of the hostages. The DATT opined that the MNJ would
use the money to buy more weapons.
4. (C) Comment: The fact that the MNJ was apparently able to
transport the 25 hostages from the Air mountains to Libya
indicates how little control the GON has over its territory
and borders. By having announced the release first, the MNJ
was able to portray it as a humanitarian gesture, while
ridding itself of the burden of caring for the hostages, and
possibly receiving a ransom for its efforts.
5. (U) Minimize considered.
ALLEN
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2012
TAGS: MOPS PGOV NG
SUBJECT: NIGER: MNJ ATTACK IN THE SOUTH; POSSIBLE RANSOM
FOR HOSTAGES
REF: NIAMEY 277 (NOTAL)
Classified By: Donald W. Koran, DCM, reasons 1.4 (b/d)
1. (SBU) The MNJ claims on its website that it attacked the
military outpost of Banibangou the night of March 16/17. It
claims to have taken two gendarmes prisoner, and captured two
vehicles and all of the weapons at the outpost. Police and
French Embassy sources confirm the attack, although the
details remain sketchy. While the MNJ website locates
Banibangou is 200 kms west of Niamey, it is actually about
200 kms north, very near the Malian border. The incident
marks the first MNJ attack in southwestern Niger.
2. (U) The Nigerien media gave extensive coverage to the
return of 25 hostages who had been held by the MNJ (reftel).
The hostages included 24 Nigerien soldiers and the prefet of
Tanout. The Khaddafi foundation arranged the hostage
release, and the hostages were flown to Niamey March 10 on
plane leased by the Khaddafi foundation. The MNJ reportedly
continues to hold six hostages (not including any captured in
Banibandgou).
3. (C) The French DATT reported that Khaddafi may have paid
several hundred thousand dollars to the MNJ to win the
release of the hostages. The DATT opined that the MNJ would
use the money to buy more weapons.
4. (C) Comment: The fact that the MNJ was apparently able to
transport the 25 hostages from the Air mountains to Libya
indicates how little control the GON has over its territory
and borders. By having announced the release first, the MNJ
was able to portray it as a humanitarian gesture, while
ridding itself of the burden of caring for the hostages, and
possibly receiving a ransom for its efforts.
5. (U) Minimize considered.
ALLEN