NIGER: PRO-HAMA AMADOU MNSD FACTION MEETS, VOWS TO

UNCLAS NIAMEY 000122 DEPT FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, AND DRL/EA PARIS FOR AF WATCHER PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI PHUM SCUL PINR NG SUBJECT: NIGER: PRO-HAMA AMADOU MNSD FACTION MEETS, VOWS TO CONTINUE EFFORTS FROM WITHIN PARTY Ref: a) Niamey 00106, b) 08 Niamey 01084 ¶1. On March 1, following the February 21 Mouvement National pour la Societe de Developpement (National Movement for a Development Society - MNSD) convention in Zinder (Ref a),former prime minister and former MNSD president Hama Amadou's supporters organized a meeting in Niamey to reconsider their role in the party. They declared that it was out of the question for them to leave the MNSD, because they toiled several years for its formation. They contended, however, that Hama Amadou remained the party's legitimate president. ¶2. In his address before the pro-Hama faction general assembly, former MNSD secretary general Sala Habi recalled the tests and sacrifices that he and other party cadres had endured to build the MNSD. He stated that he was appalled to see others take the party in a different direction by force, alluding to the Zinder convention that resulted in the selection of a new president and secretary general to lead the party. Habi vowed, "nobody will take this party from us forcefully," and called on President Tandja's arbitration to restore peace and serenity within the party. ¶3. Comment: While some observers are concerned that the recent leadership change within the MNSD may generate protests by the pro-Hama camp in Niamey, the latter group reportedly lodged a legal complaint to challenge the party presidency election at the Zinder convention, which it claims was illegal. Allen