ECOWAS WELCOMES CHINESE, EUROPEAN INVESTMENT;

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 001221

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/16/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV EINV EAIR XY
SUBJECT: ECOWAS WELCOMES CHINESE, EUROPEAN INVESTMENT;
NIGERIA TO PAY BISSAU TROOPS

REF: A. ABUJA 1131

B. NIAMEY 492 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: Political Counselor Walter N.S. Pflaumer for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)


1. (SBU) The Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS) concluded its Thirty-Sixth Ordinary Session of the
Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja June 22.
Present were leaders or representatives of all fifteen ECOWAS
member states with the exception of Guinea Conakry, as well
as Ambassador Said Djinnit, the Special Representative for
West Africa of the UN Secretary-General. The Ambassador
attended the opening ceremony. For her observations, see
reftel A. In their final communiqu, the assembled
governments "recognized the need to deepen the regional
integration process" to provide increased opportunities for
regional growth and to counter the effects of the global
economic slowdown on the region. The communiqu called on all
members to ensure effective implementation of the ECOWAS
Protocols on the Free Movement of Persons and Right of
Residence, adopted a 5th band of 35% with regards to the
ECOWAS Common External Tariff with a view to reclassifying
certain products, and "acknowledged" efforts made in
harmonizing disparate taxation schemes particularly in the
area of Value Added Tax (VAT). The heads of state "welcomed
the mobilisation of business entrepreneurs of the region...
and the establishment of strategic business partnerships with
their counterparts from China and the European Union... and
urged them to move forward with these initiatives."


2. (SBU) The Authority endorsed the creation of a Regional
Infrastructure Fund, particularly in the areas of
transportation and energy to be funded by tax receipts from
trade, and resolved to accelerate implementation of the
Yamoussoukro Agreement on the Liberalisation of Air Transport
by convening annual meetings of the Directors-General of
Civil Aviation and Managing Directors of airlines serving the
ECOWAS region. Participants restated their commitment to
agricultural development, and adopted an Action Plan on the
Fight Against Drug Trafficking, Organized Crime and Drug
Abuse in West Africa, in addition to the ECOWAS Labour Policy
and Regional Policy on Protection and Assistance to Victims
of Human Trafficking.

Guinea-Bissau
- - - - - - -

3. (SBU) The heads of state condemned the March
assassinations of the President and former President/Chief of
Defense staff in Guinea-Bissau, as well as the June murders
(widely viewed as retaliatory) of a presidential candidate
and a former Defense Minister. The leaders stressed the need
for "free, transparent and credible elections" and called
upon the international community to provide support for the
elections, for reform of the defense and security sector, and
restoration of the financial system. The assembled heads of
state commended Nigerian President Yar'Adua for his offer to
pay the three months salary arrears for the armed forces of
Guinea-Bissau, contributing to the budget for elections, and
donating vehicles and communications equipment. The others
meanwhile agreed to "take up" the issue of arrears for the
salaries of civil servants.

Guinea Conakry, Togo, Cote d'Ivoire, the Sahel
-------------- -

4. (SBU) Attendees expressed concern with the lack of
progress in Guinea Conakry on implementation of the timetable
for a return to constitutional order, particularly in regards
to political party activity and the organization of
elections, as well as in Togo with the slow pace of the
Inter-Togolese Dialogue. As a result, his colleagues asked
President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso to resume his role
as facilitator in the Dialogue, noting his success with it
prior to the Togolese parliamentary elections in October

2007. They also lauded for his efforts to help restore order
in Cote d'Ivoire, which has seen progress since the
Ouagadougou Agreements, including the proposed presidential
election slated for November 29, 2009. The statesmen
condemned the latest killings in Mali, and commended the

ABUJA 00001221 002 OF 002


determination of the Malian President to rid the country of
terrorists with the help of neighbors and other partners.

Niger
--------------

5. (SBU) Member states expressed concerns about recent
constitutional developments in Niger and appealed to the
authorities there to respect the constitution and rule of
law, in accordance with the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on
Democracy and Good Governance, which was ratified by Niger.
(Note: As reported ref B, a week later, on June 29 President
Mamadou Tandja of Niger ignored these concerns, dissolving
the constitutional court which had refused to rescind its
decision invalidating the planned referendum to allow him a
third term in office. Tandja also suspended articles of the
Constitution prohibiting the removal of members of the court
and repealed decrees regarding appointments to the court in a
very non-rule of law bid to extend his tenure. End note.)


6. (C) Lastly, the meeting paid tribute to Nigerian President
and current ECOWAS Chairman Yar'Adua "for his positive
contribution to consolidation of the regional integration
process and his dedication to the entrenchment of democracy
and promotion of good governance in West Africa." (COMMENT:
More than one observer noted the irony of Yar'Adua being
identified as a champion of democracy and governance. As for
his dedication to regional integration, we note that it is
the GON which has been the main foot-dragger within ECOWAS on
these issues. End Comment.)
SANDERS