Update on Hadizatou Mani, Woman of Courage Award Recipient

UNCLAS NIAMEY 000382 C O R R E C T I V E C O P Y - PASS ADDRESS ADDED DEPT FOR AF/W AND AF/RSA DEPT PASS TO TSCTP COLLECTIVE PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W ACCRA ALSO FOR USAID/WA PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV SOCI KWMN SCUL NG SUBJECT: Update on Hadizatou Mani, Woman of Courage Award Recipient Ref: a) 08 Niamey 01062, b) Niamey 00273, c) Niamey 00406, d) Niamey 00424 HADIZATOU MANI HAS REGAINED HER STRENGTH -------------- ¶1. (SBU) On May 10, PolOff and LES Pol Specialist traveled to Birni N'Konni to deliver the State Department's Woman of Courage prize to Mani Hadizatou (Ref A). Timidria, the local NGO that helped Mani file her successful lawsuit against the Government of Niger for failing to assist her under conditions of slavery, provided its President, Weila Ilguilas, to accompany Embassy personnel to her village. According to Timidria representatives, in preceding weeks Hadizatou had been in poor health and confined to bed. Upon visiting her, Embassy personnel confirmed that she was sick, but noticed an apparent improvement in her health. (Note: we have no further information regarding her specific health condition, the nature of medications she is taking, or whether she is under ongoing medical care. A visiting team of Spanish officials, including a physician, did visit her recently in her home. End note.) Mani admitted that she was now taking Western medication in conjunction with traditional remedies. She also indicated her plans to travel to Niamey more often, especially given her contacts in the capital. Embassy personnel presented Hadizatou with the Woman of Courage Award, which was not ready at the time of her trip to the Department of State for the award ceremony last March. GOVERNMENT OF NIGER DEPOSITS 10 MILLION FRANCS -------------- - ¶2. (SBU) Embassy personnel asked Hadizatou several questions, including the status of her children; she stated that her children were still with her former "husband." In addition, she confirmed that she had received the 10 million francs CFA (USD 20,000; Exchange rate 500 FCFA = 1USD) in damages from the Government of Niger (Refs A and B). Hadizatou also stated that she had used some of the funds to invest in her new house, which is by far the nicest house in the village. Embassy personnel asked whether she had received the USD 1,000 cash prize awarded by an American NGO; although she was aware that an award had been made, she was not aware if money had been deposited in her bank account. Embassy personnel urged her to check her account in Tahoua and verify that the funds had been deposited. Comment -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Hadizatou Mani was truly grateful for the award that she received from the State Department. She stated that she would like to meet with Ambassador Allen again when she travels to Niamey. The Embassy will follow up to ensure that she indeed received the $1,000 prize. End comment. ¶4. (U) Minimize considered. ALLEN