Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ADDISABABA1746
2009-07-23 08:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Addis Ababa
Cable title:
USAU: AFRICAN UNION RUNNING OUT OF PATIENCE WITH
how-toVZCZCXRO4444 PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHDS #1746 2040825 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 230825Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5593 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUZEFAA/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 7919
C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 001746
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/RSA, AND AF/W
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/23/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL NG AU
SUBJECT: USAU: AFRICAN UNION RUNNING OUT OF PATIENCE WITH
NIGER'S TANDJA
REF: AMBASSADOR ALLEN E-MAIL TO MAYBURY ET AL ON
07/22/09
Classified By: AMBASSADOR DONALD YAMAMOTO, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 001746
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/RSA, AND AF/W
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/23/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL NG AU
SUBJECT: USAU: AFRICAN UNION RUNNING OUT OF PATIENCE WITH
NIGER'S TANDJA
REF: AMBASSADOR ALLEN E-MAIL TO MAYBURY ET AL ON
07/22/09
Classified By: AMBASSADOR DONALD YAMAMOTO, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) The African Union will continue to try to persuade
Nigerien President Tandja to drop the August 4 referendum,
but a senior official with the continental organization
concedes that Tandja's stubborn refusal to step down at the
end of his mandate in December may lead to a grave situation
in Niger. AU Peace and Security Commissioner Ramtane Lamamra
told USAU Pol/Econ Chief on July 23 that the AU/ECOWAS/UN
delegation that met with Tandja earlier this week could not
bring him to reason. Lamamra revealed that the tripartite
delegation's message to Tandja was that they are ready to
work with him if he renounces his bid to extend his term and
if he restores constitutional order in Niger. "We can't say
we didn't try," said Lamamra. "We thought he would listen."
2. (C) Lamamra and AU Commission Chairperson Jean Ping depart
for Libya at the end of this week for a meeting with Libyan
Leader Moammar Qadhafi. Their agenda will include planning
for the AU Special Summit on Peace and Security tentatively
scheduled for August 31 in Libya. Lamamra said he and Ping
will raise the issue of Niger with Qadhafi as it is a dossier
the Guide follows closely and Qadhafi has close ties to
Tandja. Otherwise, the AU has no immediate plans to send a
higher-level delegation (i.e. Lamamra and/or Ping) to Niamey.
3. (C) The AU is running out of patience with Tandja, Lamamra
continued. Tandja is "heading straight toward the wall with
a smile on his face," the commissioner said. "Will he avoid
hitting the wall?" Lamamra welcomed strong engagement on
this issue on the part of the USG, but the AU still prefers a
discreet approach with Tandja.
YAMAMOTO
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/RSA, AND AF/W
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/23/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL NG AU
SUBJECT: USAU: AFRICAN UNION RUNNING OUT OF PATIENCE WITH
NIGER'S TANDJA
REF: AMBASSADOR ALLEN E-MAIL TO MAYBURY ET AL ON
07/22/09
Classified By: AMBASSADOR DONALD YAMAMOTO, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) The African Union will continue to try to persuade
Nigerien President Tandja to drop the August 4 referendum,
but a senior official with the continental organization
concedes that Tandja's stubborn refusal to step down at the
end of his mandate in December may lead to a grave situation
in Niger. AU Peace and Security Commissioner Ramtane Lamamra
told USAU Pol/Econ Chief on July 23 that the AU/ECOWAS/UN
delegation that met with Tandja earlier this week could not
bring him to reason. Lamamra revealed that the tripartite
delegation's message to Tandja was that they are ready to
work with him if he renounces his bid to extend his term and
if he restores constitutional order in Niger. "We can't say
we didn't try," said Lamamra. "We thought he would listen."
2. (C) Lamamra and AU Commission Chairperson Jean Ping depart
for Libya at the end of this week for a meeting with Libyan
Leader Moammar Qadhafi. Their agenda will include planning
for the AU Special Summit on Peace and Security tentatively
scheduled for August 31 in Libya. Lamamra said he and Ping
will raise the issue of Niger with Qadhafi as it is a dossier
the Guide follows closely and Qadhafi has close ties to
Tandja. Otherwise, the AU has no immediate plans to send a
higher-level delegation (i.e. Lamamra and/or Ping) to Niamey.
3. (C) The AU is running out of patience with Tandja, Lamamra
continued. Tandja is "heading straight toward the wall with
a smile on his face," the commissioner said. "Will he avoid
hitting the wall?" Lamamra welcomed strong engagement on
this issue on the part of the USG, but the AU still prefers a
discreet approach with Tandja.
YAMAMOTO