GON Officials, Tuareg Rebels Continue Peace Talks in

UNCLAS NIAMEY 000350 DEPT FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, AND DRL/AE PLS PASS TO TSCTP COLLECTIVE PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W ACCRA ALSO FOR USAID AF/WA PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI SCUL PHUM NG SUBJECT: GON Officials, Tuareg Rebels Continue Peace Talks in Niamey Ref: a) Niamey 00333, b) Niamey 00235 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Two of Niger's three rebel groups, the Niger Patriotic Front (FPN) and the Movement of Nigeriens for Justice (NMJ) held peace talks May 13-14 in Niamey with Prime Minister Seini Oumarou and Minister of Interior Albade Abouba. These meetings follow the May 3-4 dialogue held between President Tandja and Tuareg rebel leaders in Agadez, capital of Niger's northernmost region. End summary. Rebel Leaders Send Delegation to Capital -------------- ¶2. (U) On May 13, two of Niger's three rebel fronts, the FPN and the MNJ held peace talks in Niamey with Minister of Interior Albade Abouba. These meetings, which follow the May 3-4 meeting between President Tandja and rebel leaders in Agadez (Ref A),and the April 6-7 meetings in Sirte, Libya (Ref B),took place with one notable absence, the Front des Forces de Redressement (FFR). The FFR, the third rebel group, remained in Tripoli, declaring its unwillingness to participate in a "masquerade of negotiations." On May 14, Prime Minister Seini Oumarou welcomed the rebel leaders to a round of discussions, also in Niamey. Rebels and GON Officials Discuss Multitude of Issues -------------- -------------- ¶3. (U) Rebel leaders and GON officials discussed a variety of specific issues seen as necessary to a peace agreement. These included: rebel amnesty, reintegration into society and the military, increased revenue sharing from the exploitation of natural resources from the north, concerns about environmental damage and health effects from uranium mining, and the lifting of the state of alert for the Agadez region. Members of both delegations acknowledge that there are many particulars that need to be worked out. The next phase of negotiations will take place in Agadez, where the National Technical Committee will discuss practical means of disarmament with rebel leaders. Comment -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Although the FFR did not participate in the peace talks, sources indicate that the GON and Libyan officials made several attempts to convince FFR leaders to do so. Members of both delegations continue to engage in dialogue, demonstrating their desire to resolve the conflict. End comment. ¶5. (U) Minimize considered. Allen