SENEGALESE AMBASSADOR SYMPATHETIC TO THE CNDD

C O N F I D E N T I A L CONAKRY 000269 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC GV SUBJECT: SENEGALESE AMBASSADOR SYMPATHETIC TO THE CNDD Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. Senegal's new Ambassador to Guinea appears to be sympathetic to the CNDD. In a courtesy call on the Charge, she claimed that elections should be held towards the end of 2010 instead of 2009 in order to allow time for much needed military reform. Citing concerns about regional stability, she said "we think that this seizure of power is the best thing that could have happened to Guinea." END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Charge received Senegal's new Ambassador to Guinea, Mrs. Batoura Kane Niang, for a courtesy call on May 14. She arrived in Guinea approximately two months ago. Initial information indicated that she had previously working in Dakar as the Director of Customs, but when asked about it, she downplayed her job, claiming that she was in a minor position. Niang arrived at the Embassy in an expensive, new black Mercedes and was wearing what looked to be tens of thousands of dollars worth of diamonds. Ambassador Niang was accompanied by her Political Counselor. Embassy's Pol/Econ Chief also participated in the meeting. ¶3. (SBU) When the Charge commented on President Wade's seeming divergence with ECOWAS with respect to the December 23 coup in Guinea, Niang said that Senegal's approach is based on three key principles. She noted that Senegal currently has approximately three million Guineans living within its borders, as well as tens of thousands of refugees from Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania. Niang said Senegal is worried about an influx of refugees should the situation in Guinea deteriorate. She also mentioned regional stability as a key concern, noting that instability in Guinea would directly affect Senegal and other West African nations. Finally, Niang attributed Wade's response to a "cultural" concept that it is ultimately better to keep the lines of communication open in order to foster meaningful dialogue. ¶3. (SBU) Niang added that Dadis and Wade enjoy a strong relationship. She noted that Dadis has referred to Wade as his "father" several times, which in the African context, is a sign of significant respect. ¶4. (C) On the subject of elections, Niang was not convinced that the current election timetable represents the best solution for Guinea. She claimed that it is important for the transition government to fix the problems of the past in order to create a positive environment in which the country can move forward. According to Niang, it is critical that the CNDD reform the military before organizing elections. She said it is common for elections to be delayed in African countries, even in those that are more developed, due to technical and logistical challenges. She added that if elections are organized too soon, Guinea will have serious problems. However, Niang said that while Senegal is not convinced elections in 2009 are a good idea, they do want to see elections by the end of 2010. ¶5. (SBU) When the Charge inquired as to who would pay for military reform, Niang asked why those countries willing to pay for elections could not shift their priorities and put forth money to address the military problems since that is the more critical issue. Charge said that the USG would never endorse this approach. Niang went on for some time about how elections have been misused in Africa, often to perpetuate weak governance and dictatorial leaders. ¶6. (C) At one point, Niang noted Senegal's longstanding relationship with Guinea as a key neighbor and said "we think that this seizure of power is the best thing that could have happened to Guinea." She explained that Guinea had been on the brink of implosion and that the Guinean people welcomed a coup as a way to avoid conflict. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶7. (C) Ambassador Niang clearly supports the CNDD and referred to Dadis as "the President." During the celebration of Senegalese National Day at her residence last week, she was publicly deferential to and complementary of the CNDD. As suggested by President Wade's previous interactions with Guinea and the CNDD, it seems that Senegal is adopting a much softer, more sympathetic approach to Guinea's ruling military junta and its leader, which is at odds with ECOWAS. END COMMENT. RASPOLIC