SIT REP 3: COUP IN MAURITANIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L NOUAKCHOTT 000413 STATE FOR AF/W, S/CT, PM, INR, S/ES-O, DS/DSS/C, DS/RD/AF, OCS/ACS STATE PLEASE PASS TO PEACE CORPS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/06/2018 TAGS: ASEC CASC PGOV PREL PINR MOPS MR SUBJECT: SIT REP 3: COUP IN MAURITANIA REF: A. NOUAKCHOTT 411 ¶B. NOUAKCHOTT 412 Classified By: Ambassador Mark M. Boulware for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) UNDP Res Rep Maria Ribeiro invited COMs from the US, French, Spanish and German embassies as well as the EU Commission to discuss today's developments. Ambassador Boulware discussed his conversation earlier in the day with General Aziz. Counterparts reported similar discussions with various interlocutors. Both the UN and EU had been contacted by the Minister of Economy and Finance, who purported to speak on behalf of the Council of State, to assert that the coup did not represent a halt in the process of democratization and that democratic institutions would be preserved. He said that the Council of State would have substantial civilian participation and would assume only the powers of the executive with current ministers remaining in place for the time being. He promised a renewed focus on good governance and immediate efforts to get the government moving. The French Charge said that some sources predicted that President Abdallahi would be brought to trial. The Europeans indicated that their governments had or soon would release statements condemning the coup. None of the organizations reported any security precautions beyond advising nationals to exercise caution and limit movements. ¶2. (C) Ambassador Boulware called on the Senegalese Ambassador to inquire about Senegal's position. He said that he had not yet received an official position but that speaking personally he deplored the development and predicted significant international condemnation. He confirmed that at least as of this afternoon the border with Senegal was open and did not expect it to be closed. ¶3. (U) The airport in Nouakchott has reopened and flights to and from Nouakchott are resuming. ¶4. (SBU) ARSO has been traveling around Nouakchott all day. He reports that as of two hours ago, forward positioning by many of security services had been retracted. He says that there is a smaller security presence than earlier in the day. Businesses and restaurants remain open and Mauritanians appear to be conducting business as usual. ¶5. (SBU) Local media is now reporting incorrectly that Ambassador met personally with General Aziz in his office today. The local media,s report is more detailed than Al Jazeera,s earlier report, giving details about the location of the meeting. They also report that the head of the EU mission, the French Ambassador, and the Spanish Ambassador met with General Aziz too. ¶6. (C) Post confirms that RAO has taken a group of about 15 Mauritanian to police officers to the United States for training for the month of August. They are currently in the United States. Boulware