Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NIAMEY235
2009-04-06 16:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Niamey
Cable title:  

GON DELEGATION PARTICIPATES IN PEACE TALKS WITH TUAREGS IN

Tags:  PGOV SOCI PREL PHUM PINR PINS PTER NG 
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VZCZCXRO0759
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHNM #0235 0961614
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 061614Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4948
INFO RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS 3503
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0809
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
UNCLAS NIAMEY 000235 

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
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SOCI PREL PHUM PINR PINS PTER NG
SUBJECT: GON DELEGATION PARTICIPATES IN PEACE TALKS WITH TUAREGS IN
TRIPOLI

Ref: a) Niamey 00165, b) Niamey 00109

UNCLAS NIAMEY 000235

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
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SOCI PREL PHUM PINR PINS PTER NG
SUBJECT: GON DELEGATION PARTICIPATES IN PEACE TALKS WITH TUAREGS IN
TRIPOLI

Ref: a) Niamey 00165, b) Niamey 00109


1. (SBU) Despite long-held refusals to negotiate with rebel Tuareg
groups, including most notably the Mouvement Nigerien pour la
Justice - MNJ, the Government of Niger (GON) recently sent a
high-level delegation to engage in talks in Tripoli, with the first
sessions of talks taking place on April 4. The Nigerien delegation
includes Minister of State for the Interior Albade Abouba, High
Commissioner for the Restoration of Peace Mohammed Anacko, the
Governor of Agadez region, senior military leaders, and civil
society representatives. Rebel groups participating include the MNJ
as well as the Niger Patriotic Front (FPN) and the Front for
Recovery Forces (FFR). The Libyan Ambassador to Niger, Souleymane
Ahmed Mohamed Moussa, reportedly is mediating the talks.


2. (SBU) The talks are taking place soon after the recent offer by
the "Front of Friends of Niger" to lay down weapons following a
request from Qadhafi. Preliminary demands apparently include a
general amnesty for rebels, the release of detainees, and the
lifting of the state of emergency for the north.


3. (SBU) Comment: The past six weeks has seen the visit of Libyan
President/AU Chairman Qadhafi to Niamey, with six Nigerien hostages
returned (Ref A),and a Peace and Security Forum (Ref B) designed to
address underlying causes of conflict in Niger's north, where
sporadic hostilities have occurred since February 2007. It appears
that the GON is willing to accept the MNJ's gestures - releasing the
hostages and offering to lay down arms - as necessary and sufficient
grounds to commence negotiations. End comment.


4. (U) Minimize considered.

Whitaker