NIGER: POL/ECON UPDATE FOR MARCH 2009

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NIAMEY 000214 DEPT FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, AND DRL/EA ACCRA ALSO FOR AF/WA PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/W SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM SOCI SCUL KISL TBIO FR NG SUBJECT: NIGER: POL/ECON UPDATE FOR MARCH 2009 Ref: a) 08 Niamey 01176, b) Niamey 00121 NIAMEY 00000214 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. The following is an Embassy Niger compilation of political and economic highlights for March 2009 not otherwise covered in mission reporting. This report covers the following issues: -- President Sarkozy to Visit Niger Briefly on March 27; -- Civil Society Demonstrations Occur on March 21 & 22; -- MNSD 18th Anniversary Rally Held; -- Sermons outside Mosques Curtailed by MRA; and -- Meningitis Update: 113 Deaths, 2662 Cases so Far President Sarkozy to Visit Niger Briefly on March 27 -------------- -------------- ¶2. President Sarkozy will visit Niamey for approximately four hours on March 27 during a visit that includes Congo and DROC. The visit, the first by a French head of state in four years, will involve President Tandja hosting a private luncheon, as well as President Sarkozy meeting with National Council for Political Dialogue (CNDP) representatives and participating with AREVA CEO Lauvergeon in a roundtable with the local chapter of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). As detailed in Ref D, AREVA signed a contract earlier this year to manage the giant Imouraren uranium mine in Niger's vast north, wherein Niger may move from fifth largest world supplier to third or fourth. The two presidents will hold a joint press conference to complete the visit. ¶3. Comment: While the Government of Niger has high expectations for the visit, public opinion is mixed, with some wanting to see a "sincere visit, respectful of Niger's people and interests," and others considering the visit of just four hours to be too short for serious bilateral discussions. End comment. Civil Society Demonstrations Occur on March 21 & 22 -------------- -------------- ¶4. On March 21, three umbrella groups of civil society organizations - the citizens' Convergence (CC),the United Front for the Protection of Democratic Gains (FUSAD),and the Citizens' Movement for Peace, Democracy, and the Republic (MCPDR) - organized a march and rally in Niamey to protest the National Assembly's recent benefits package, the rising cost of living, the implementation of weighbridges at major borders, and the dilemma of contract teachers (Ref B). On March 22, another group, the Coalition of Niger's Civil Society (CSCN),also marched and held a rally to demand former PM Hama's release, call for an independent audit of the President's Special Program, protest against the rising cost of living, and express support for contract teachers. The demonstrations, though peaceful, gathered fewer participants than previous ones. ¶5. Comment: Despite a February 26 Constitutional Court's ruling that the process of its adoption was compliant with the constitution, civil society continues to denounce the National Assembly's benefits package signed into law by President Tandja on March 13. Some observers note that the low turnout shows that these demonstrations, unlike previous ones, have reached their limits, and suggest that civil society find new strategies. End comment. MNSD 18th Anniversary Rally Held -------------- ¶6. The main party of Niger's ruling coalition, the National Movement for a Development Society (MNSD),held a rally in Niamey on March 21 in celebration of its 18th anniversary under the theme of "newfound cohesion and unity." The party's new leadership, chaired by Prime Minister Seini Oumarou, declared that the anniversary marks the "age of maturity." Seini Oumarou praised the MNSD's contribution to the achievement of the Government of Niger's socio-economic and other development objectives. He underscored the need to strengthen the party's unity and confidence at all levels, and to promote the common interest "to the detriment of vested interests." The party's chapters of women, youth, and cadres also took the floor to address the plenary session and renew their support for the party's new leadership. Sermons outside Mosques Curtailed by MRA -------------- ¶7. On March 17, Minister of Religious Affairs (MRA) Issaka Labo issued a statement regarding the practice of public preaching. Minister Labo, who spoke on national radio and television, said that "certain religious groups shout insults at each other through media, or disseminate provocative sermons and messages prone to disturb public order and to threaten social peace and tranquility." He NIAMEY 00000214 002.2 OF 002 pointed out that while Niger protects people's freedom to choose and practice their religion, their freedom should not infringe on that of others. He stressed that "no individual or group of individuals can impose his or her faith on Nigerien Moslems, who have already adopted a tolerant Islam that cements our solidarity and national unity." ¶8. To put an end to "the anarchy that is lurking in religious circles," Minister Labo decided to ban "parallel preaching" in mosques that occurs at the same time as their imams and authorized preachers as well as preaching in markets or other "inappropriate locations." This ban also regards media (radio and television) broadcasts of any religious sermon and/or debate likely to generate contention or disputes, threaten public order, or undermine the cohesion of our country's Islamic community. Minister Labo added that the Government would spare no effort to ensure that peace and order prevail in mosques, madrasas, and other places of worship. Meningitis Update: 169 Deaths, 4,548 Cases so Far -------------- -------------- ¶9. As of March 18, Niger has experienced 169 deaths and 4,548 cases of meningitis, compared to 40 and 453 respectively at the same time in 2008. In response to this outbreak, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched a Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) seeking USD 58,000 to support the Red Cross of Niger in reaching more than 3.9 million people through a health sensitization and education campaign. This effort will take place through the end of May, which usually corresponds to the end of the meningitis season. ¶10. Minimize considered. Whitaker