AU SUMMIT -- AF ACTING A/S CARTER MEETS WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 000326

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/RSA, AF/E, AND AF/W

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/06/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID SO NI AU
SUBJECT: AU SUMMIT -- AF ACTING A/S CARTER MEETS WITH
NIGERIAN FM

Classified By: AMBASSADOR DONALD YAMAMOTO, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (C) SUMMARY: AF Acting Assistant Secretary Phillip
Carter met with Nigerian Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe on
February 1 on the margins of the AU Summit in Addis Ababa.
They discussed a range of topics including the Secretary's
call to Nigerian President Yar'Adua, Nigerian troop
contributions for AMISOM, appreciation of U.S. support for
the Nigerian candidate for the International Fund for
Agricultural Development (IFAD),and Nigeria's position on
African Unity Government. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Call from the Secretary of State: FM Maduekwe
expressed appreciation that the Secretary had included him
among her early calls. He explained that Nigeria sees the
call as encouraging and is assured that the values it shares
with the United States make it a mature partner. Quoting
President Obama's inaugural speech, the Maduekwe stated that
it is time to put away childish things and that "Nigeria is
ready and mature enough to move on to greater things."
Nigeria's leadership in Africa, he said, must be based on
more than the size of its population: It must be based on
modeling good governance and realizing the full potential of
its location and natural resources. He reported that he
wishes to follow up on the Secretary's invitation to meet
with her when he is next in Washington and that he has been
invited to speak at Georgetown University. Carter asked that
Maduekwe provide as much advance notice as possible of his
visit.


3. (C) Nigeria Troop Contribution to AMISOM: Carter
reiterated the U.S. desire to work with Nigeria to advance
mutual interests, citing Nigeria's plans to contribute a
brigade rather than a battalion to AMISOM. Maduekwe reported
that the Secretary's only request had been for Nigerian
action on Somalia. He confirmed that they had the political
will to send a brigade to Somalia but that there is concern
about the mission -- that it be keeping peace rather than
imposing peace -- noting the difference to troop safety.
Logistical issues and questions regarding how the troops are
to be equipped were raised on the call and the Secretary had
offered U.S. support. Carter responded that Nigeria should
lay out the support needed, and Maduekwe volunteered to
obtain those details from the Minister of Defense on his
return. Carter noted that Algeria is willing to provide
airlift support as well. He also took the opportunity to
thank the Nigerian government for its principled stand, along
with ECOWAS, on the coups in Mauritania and Guinea.


4. (C) African Unity Government: The conversation turned to
the issue of Unity Government and the debate then ensuing at
the summit. Maduekwe described the factions developing in
the AU Assembly. Pro-unity government member states are led
by Libya. Uganda, Nigeria, South Africa and others believe
the EU model of gradualism should be emulated. Maduekwe
believes that a strong foundation built on economic growth,
greater harmonization and the development of an economic
community are the necessary first steps. Carter agreed,
adding that the need to build confidence around economic
issues is critical to the process and pointed to the work
that USAID is already contributing in this area. USAID
Acting Assistant Administrator for Africa Earl Gast pointed
to the example of U.S. funding of $150 million for food
security and the progress being made through the
Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP).


5. (C) IFAD Nigerian candidate: Maduekwe thanked the
United States for its visible support of the Nigerian
candidate for IFAD.


6. (C) Meeting with President Obama: Maduekwe requested
that President Yar'Adua be considered for an early invitation
to meet with President Obama. Carter said that he would take
the message back but reminded Maduekwe that there were still
issues pending from the last Presidential meeting. Maduekwe
explained that on the issue of the Niger Delta, Nigeria is
interested in working with the United States and others to
seek solutions in the Delta. Carter stated that the United
States would need to know what Nigeria is doing now to
address the issues in the Niger Delta and the USG wants to
see efforts on Nigeria's part that are transparent, cogent,
real, and dramatic on the part of the Governor of Delta
State. Maduekwe replied that, for the Government of

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Nigeria's part it would wish to report some successes when
President Yar'Adua arrives in Washington. He promised to
discuss this with the Governor and suggested bringing him to
the United States as well.


7. (U) Acting A/S Carter has approved this message.
YAMAMOTO