SOUTH AFRICA SUPPORTS MAURITANIA'S ELECTED

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 002621


STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W AN DAF/RSA FOR WHALDEMAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL MR AU
SUBJECT: SOUTH AFRICA SUPPORTS MAURITANIA'S ELECTED
PRESIDENT

REF: ADDIS ABABA 03240

Classified By: Political Counselor Raymond L. Brown. Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: On December 1, 2008 Department of Foreign
Affairs' (DFA) North Africa division Chief Director
Ambassador Ebrahim Saley, Director Ambassador Delarey Van
Tonder and Deputy Director Lara Swart told Poloff that South
Africa recognizes and supports democratically elected
President Sidi Mohamed Ould Abdallahi of Mauritania. They
expect the delegation led by Mauritania's National Assembly
Speaker Messaoud Ould Boulkheir (see reftel) to ask South
Africa to help build African Union (AU) support for the
ousted government. End summary.

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SAG RECOGNIZES ABDALLAHI GOVERNMENT
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2. (C) Saley said the South African Government (SAG) was
surprised by the military coup of August 6, 2008. After the
August 2003 coup, the SAG supported the Mauritanian
government's roadmap to democracy. The SAG sent observer and
technical teams to assist with the March 2007 elections. As
the country appeared to be making a steady return to
constitutional government, the SAG moved forward with plans
to open an embassy there.


3. (C) South Africa's representative to Mauritania,
Ambassador Kotane, arrived in Nouakchott a week before the
August 2008 coup, before presenting credentials. Saley said
it was "very clear" that Kotane could not present credentials
as the SAG still recognized the democratically elected
president. He said the SAG initially was optimistic that
Abdallahi would be reinstated quickly and still has not made
a decision to recall the ambassador, mostly as a courtesy to
the ambassador and his family who were not eager to leave so
soon after their arrival. Saley thinks the DFA will take a
decision on this in January, after the holidays.


4. (C) The Mauritanian Embassy informed the DFA on November
24 that the junta government was recalling the Mauritanian
ambassador to South Africa and would replace him with a
charge. Saley said it was unlikely that the SAG would accept
an ambassador representing the junta government. He added
that the DFA had already discouraged several junta
representatives from coming to South Africa for official
meetings as the SAG would not accept them.

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SAG MESSAGE: PRO-DEMOCRACY, ANTI-VIOLENCE
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5. (C) Saley said the SAG has been very consistent in sending
the message that those within Mauritanian society who object
to government policies must resolve their problems through
constitutional means. He said, "It is important that the
international community holds (Mauritania's political
leadership) to democratic principles." According to Saley,
the SAG has encouraged democracy supporters in Mauritania to
avoid violence because it will become difficult for the
international community to support violent opposition to the
military junta. He believes under the surface Mauritanian
society is "quite volatile."

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BOULKHEIR DELEGATION SEEKS SAG SUPPORT ON THE CONTINENT
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6. (C) Saley predicts that the Boulkheir delegation will ask
South Africa to help build support for the ousted government
on the African continent. He thinks the delegation is
concerned that certain AU members may not be hard enough on
the military junta. He said Morocco and Senegal fall into
this category, while the Libyans are ambivalent. Saley thinks
the delegation will seek South Africa's support in the way
the AU deals with the military junta, specifically, whether a
representative of Abdallahi or the military junta will fill
Mauritania's seat at the AU, or whether that seat will be
empty. He thinks it is unlikely that the junta will be
allowed to represent Mauritania at the AU. He had no comment
on specific actions South Africa will take to support
Abdallahi at the AU or on the continent. Saley expects that
the delegation will meet with President Motlanthe. The
delegation's arrival in South Africa is uncertain as they
await a meeting with President Jakaya M. Kikwete in Tanzania.



7. (C) Saley pointed out that the DFA issued a statement
shortly after the AU condemning the August 6 coup even
without the foreign minister's clearance because the SAG's
position on this was "clear cut" and South Africa is a "very
responsible member of the AU." Text follows.


8. (U) Begin text: South Africa has noted with serious
concern media reports of an alleged military coup in
Mauritania today Wednesday August 6 2008.

South Africa like the rest of the international community has
never countenanced the use of military coups to settle
political issues. In this regard, South Africa joins the
entire international community in expressing its outright and
unequivocal condemnation of such unconstitutional transfer of
power.

Accordingly, South Africa like the rest of humanity calls for
an immediate return to democracy and the rule of law. South
Africa will continue to monitor the situation closely before
making any further and comprehensive response to the
situation."


9. (U) End text.


10. (C) Comment: Although some observers question South
Africa's support for democratic electoral outcomes when it
comes to Zimbabwe, for example, the SAG is unequivocally on
the side of democracy and rule of law when it comes to
Mauritania. The SAG is comfortable in condemning the
military junta with the backing of the AU and international
community. South Africa is likely to support Abdallahi
within the AU, but Abdallahi should not expect great exertion
from the SAG as Mauritania does not feature as a strategic
policy concern compared with other South African domestic and
foreign policy priorities.


BOST