Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ABUJA1613
2009-09-01 08:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NIGERIA: ECOWAS PRESIDENT "EXTREMELY CONCERNED" BY
how-toVZCZCXRO5830 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #1613 2440809 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 010809Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6938 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 0175 RUEHNM/AMEMBASSY NIAMEY PRIORITY 0207 RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA PRIORITY 2066 RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE PRIORITY 1019 RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS PRIORITY 1900 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0418 RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001613
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA;
ADDIS ABABA FOR U.S. MISSION TO AU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM AU GV NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: ECOWAS PRESIDENT "EXTREMELY CONCERNED" BY
GUINEAN POLITICAL SITUATION
REF: STATE 89113 (NOTAL)
Classified By: Political Counselor James P. McAnulty
for reasons in Sections 1.4. (B) and (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001613
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA;
ADDIS ABABA FOR U.S. MISSION TO AU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM AU GV NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: ECOWAS PRESIDENT "EXTREMELY CONCERNED" BY
GUINEAN POLITICAL SITUATION
REF: STATE 89113 (NOTAL)
Classified By: Political Counselor James P. McAnulty
for reasons in Sections 1.4. (B) and (D)
1. (U) POLCOUNS, accompanied by POLOFFS, delivered demarche
on Guinean elections (REFTEL) to Economic Community of West
African States (ECOWAS) President Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas
during an introductory call on August 28. POLCOUNS urged
ECOWAS support for free, fair, and transparent elections
without further delay and with sufficient budgetary support.
--------------
ECOWAS "EXTREMELY CONCERNED"
--------------
2. (C) Dr. Chambas fully agreed with the U.S. position,
expressing "extreme concern" over recent political
developments in Guinea. He assured POLCOUNS that "We are on
the same page with you." Recalling earlier Contact Group
efforts to press for fair elections, he noted that the group
would visit Conakry again shortly. He warned that, while
junta leader Captain Dadis Camara said he convened the Ad Hoc
Committee on Elections to "clean up" constitutional clauses
prejudicial to Guinean democracy, Camara now demonstrated
"different intentions." He expressed concern over the
region's recent return to a cycle of military coups, despite
international attention and involvement. The ECOWAS
President called for the international community to "stand
firm" in pressing for credible, transparent elections in
which the junta should not serve both as "player" and
"referee."
--------------
"CIVILIAN COUP" IN NIGER
--------------
3. (C) Dr. Chambas expressed serious concern about recent
developments in neighboring Niger, where President Mamadou
Tadja had effectively conducted a "civilian coup d'etat" by
attempting to perpetuate his rule under a new Constitution
that "totally breached" the old one. He opined that Niger
would serve as a "first test" of international resolve, with
the junta in Guinea watching developments there closely.
MCCULLOUGH
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA;
ADDIS ABABA FOR U.S. MISSION TO AU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM AU GV NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: ECOWAS PRESIDENT "EXTREMELY CONCERNED" BY
GUINEAN POLITICAL SITUATION
REF: STATE 89113 (NOTAL)
Classified By: Political Counselor James P. McAnulty
for reasons in Sections 1.4. (B) and (D)
1. (U) POLCOUNS, accompanied by POLOFFS, delivered demarche
on Guinean elections (REFTEL) to Economic Community of West
African States (ECOWAS) President Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas
during an introductory call on August 28. POLCOUNS urged
ECOWAS support for free, fair, and transparent elections
without further delay and with sufficient budgetary support.
--------------
ECOWAS "EXTREMELY CONCERNED"
--------------
2. (C) Dr. Chambas fully agreed with the U.S. position,
expressing "extreme concern" over recent political
developments in Guinea. He assured POLCOUNS that "We are on
the same page with you." Recalling earlier Contact Group
efforts to press for fair elections, he noted that the group
would visit Conakry again shortly. He warned that, while
junta leader Captain Dadis Camara said he convened the Ad Hoc
Committee on Elections to "clean up" constitutional clauses
prejudicial to Guinean democracy, Camara now demonstrated
"different intentions." He expressed concern over the
region's recent return to a cycle of military coups, despite
international attention and involvement. The ECOWAS
President called for the international community to "stand
firm" in pressing for credible, transparent elections in
which the junta should not serve both as "player" and
"referee."
--------------
"CIVILIAN COUP" IN NIGER
--------------
3. (C) Dr. Chambas expressed serious concern about recent
developments in neighboring Niger, where President Mamadou
Tadja had effectively conducted a "civilian coup d'etat" by
attempting to perpetuate his rule under a new Constitution
that "totally breached" the old one. He opined that Niger
would serve as a "first test" of international resolve, with
the junta in Guinea watching developments there closely.
MCCULLOUGH