Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CONAKRY269
2009-05-15 11:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
SENEGALESE AMBASSADOR SYMPATHETIC TO THE CNDD
how-toVZCZCXRO5367 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHRY #0269 1351152 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 151152Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
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
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
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