Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08NIAMEY91
2008-01-23 08:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Niamey
how-toVZCZCXRO8712 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHNM #0091 0230858 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 230858Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4055 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE 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 000091
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2018
TAGS: PGOV NG
SUBJECT: FORMER PRIME MINISTER QUESTIONED AGAIN
REF: (A) NIAMEY 1412 (B) 07 NIAMEY 783
Classified By: Donald W. Koran, DCM, reasons 1.4 (b/d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L NIAMEY 000091
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2018
TAGS: PGOV NG
SUBJECT: FORMER PRIME MINISTER QUESTIONED AGAIN
REF: (A) NIAMEY 1412 (B) 07 NIAMEY 783
Classified By: Donald W. Koran, DCM, reasons 1.4 (b/d)
1. (U) Former Prime Minister Hama Amadou was again questioned
by police on January 18 regarding allegations that he incited
violence (ref A). He has been charged with conspiracy to
commit arson, but he has not been arrested.
2. (C) There are credible rumors circulating in Niamey that
current Prime Minister Seini Oumarou has threatened to resign
if his predecessor is arrested. He was reportedly urged to
make the threat by pro-Amadou MNSD members. Oumarou is
considered close to Amadou, and indeed National Assembly
members who succeeded in removing Amadou last summer where
disappointed that someone they saw as a Amadou protege
replaced him (ref B).
3. (C) Comment: The former Prime Minister retains
considerable support within the ruling MNSD party. Large
numbers of young MNSD members have been hanging around his
house, and a number were around the police station when he
was being questioned. Any effort to arrest him could provoke
a violent reaction on the part of his supporters. The
resignation of Oumarou could prompt a political crisis.
ALLEN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2018
TAGS: PGOV NG
SUBJECT: FORMER PRIME MINISTER QUESTIONED AGAIN
REF: (A) NIAMEY 1412 (B) 07 NIAMEY 783
Classified By: Donald W. Koran, DCM, reasons 1.4 (b/d)
1. (U) Former Prime Minister Hama Amadou was again questioned
by police on January 18 regarding allegations that he incited
violence (ref A). He has been charged with conspiracy to
commit arson, but he has not been arrested.
2. (C) There are credible rumors circulating in Niamey that
current Prime Minister Seini Oumarou has threatened to resign
if his predecessor is arrested. He was reportedly urged to
make the threat by pro-Amadou MNSD members. Oumarou is
considered close to Amadou, and indeed National Assembly
members who succeeded in removing Amadou last summer where
disappointed that someone they saw as a Amadou protege
replaced him (ref B).
3. (C) Comment: The former Prime Minister retains
considerable support within the ruling MNSD party. Large
numbers of young MNSD members have been hanging around his
house, and a number were around the police station when he
was being questioned. Any effort to arrest him could provoke
a violent reaction on the part of his supporters. The
resignation of Oumarou could prompt a political crisis.
ALLEN