Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NIAMEY163
2009-03-17 06:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Niamey
Cable title:
FORMER PM HAMA AMADOU HOSPITALIZED FOR MALARIA;
how-toVZCZCXRO1195 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHNM #0163 0760622 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 170622Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4911 INFO RHMFISS/CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS 3488 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0787 RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS NIAMEY 000163
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 SOCI PHUM NG
SUBJECT: FORMER PM HAMA AMADOU HOSPITALIZED FOR MALARIA;
ELECTION-YEAR QUESTIONS RAISED
Ref: a) 08 Niamey 00632, b) 08 Niamey 00607, c) Niamey 00122, d)
Niamey 00106
UNCLAS NIAMEY 000163
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 SOCI PHUM NG
SUBJECT: FORMER PM HAMA AMADOU HOSPITALIZED FOR MALARIA;
ELECTION-YEAR QUESTIONS RAISED
Ref: a) 08 Niamey 00632, b) 08 Niamey 00607, c) Niamey 00122, d)
Niamey 00106
1. On March 12, officials transferred jailed former Prime Minister
Hama Amadou from the Koutoukle prison to Niamey National Hospital
for medical care, reportedly following a malaria attack. There was
no further information available regarding his illness and general
condition. Amadou's transfer occurred amidst speculation of his
possible intention to present his candidacy for this years'
presidential election.
2. In an interview by a local private newspaper, former state
prosecutor and former Minister of Justice Soli Abdourahamane said,
"the law does not prohibit Hama Amadou to run for
elections...eligibility requirements are provided by the electoral
code...In principle, any person, no matter the felony he or she is
suspected to have committed, is presumed innocent until he or she is
tried and sentenced. The fact that Mr. Hama Amadou is in detention
does not mean that he is not eligible...He only cannot run a
campaign, although his supporters could do it on his behalf."
3. Comment: As the above statement drew a lot of debate, some
observers perceive former PM Hama Amadou's hospitalization as a
political ploy or means to find a way out of a complex political
situation.
MINIMIZE CONSIDERED
ALLEN
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 SOCI PHUM NG
SUBJECT: FORMER PM HAMA AMADOU HOSPITALIZED FOR MALARIA;
ELECTION-YEAR QUESTIONS RAISED
Ref: a) 08 Niamey 00632, b) 08 Niamey 00607, c) Niamey 00122, d)
Niamey 00106
1. On March 12, officials transferred jailed former Prime Minister
Hama Amadou from the Koutoukle prison to Niamey National Hospital
for medical care, reportedly following a malaria attack. There was
no further information available regarding his illness and general
condition. Amadou's transfer occurred amidst speculation of his
possible intention to present his candidacy for this years'
presidential election.
2. In an interview by a local private newspaper, former state
prosecutor and former Minister of Justice Soli Abdourahamane said,
"the law does not prohibit Hama Amadou to run for
elections...eligibility requirements are provided by the electoral
code...In principle, any person, no matter the felony he or she is
suspected to have committed, is presumed innocent until he or she is
tried and sentenced. The fact that Mr. Hama Amadou is in detention
does not mean that he is not eligible...He only cannot run a
campaign, although his supporters could do it on his behalf."
3. Comment: As the above statement drew a lot of debate, some
observers perceive former PM Hama Amadou's hospitalization as a
political ploy or means to find a way out of a complex political
situation.
MINIMIZE CONSIDERED
ALLEN