Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NIAMEY536
2009-07-23 20:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Niamey
Cable title:
Niger: Court Rules Union Strike Illegal, GON Bans
how-toVZCZCXRO5066 RR RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHNM #0536 2042027 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 232027Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5204 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEHLMC/MCC WASHDC
UNCLAS NIAMEY 000536
DEPT FOR AF/W AND AF/RSA
PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W
ACCRA ALSO FOR USAID/WA
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI NG
SUBJECT: Niger: Court Rules Union Strike Illegal, GON Bans
Opposition Rally; First Lady Plans July 25 Rally
Ref: a) Niamey 522 b) Niamey 521 c) Niamey 520 d) Niamey 479
e) Niamey 225
UNCLAS NIAMEY 000536
DEPT FOR AF/W AND AF/RSA
PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W
ACCRA ALSO FOR USAID/WA
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI NG
SUBJECT: Niger: Court Rules Union Strike Illegal, GON Bans
Opposition Rally; First Lady Plans July 25 Rally
Ref: a) Niamey 522 b) Niamey 521 c) Niamey 520 d) Niamey 479
e) Niamey 225
1. On July 20, the Inter-Union of Niger's Workers (ITN),made up of
seven labor confederations, notified the government of its intention
to go on strike on July 23-24 to demand a 10% salary increase and
press President Tandja to repeal his referendum plan. On July 22,
the Government of Niger (GON) lodged a complaint before the Tribunal
of Niamey, requesting that the court ban the strike. The Tribunal
delivered a judgment in chambers the same day, declaring the
projected strike illegal. That evening, state television announced
the court ruling during its newscast. On July 23, Minister of
Communication and Government Spokesperson Mohamed Ben Omar told a
foreign radio station that the strike was "not consistent with
Niger's workers' platform. Their claims were clearly political."
Labor union leaders, who did not have time to call off the strike,
met on July 23 to decide on a course of action. Mission observers
did not detect evidence that a strike occurred.
2. The Coordination of Forces for Democracy and the Republic (CFDR),
the newly-formed coalition of opposition political parties, civil
society organizations, and labor unions, announced a peaceful
demonstration to take place on July 26. On July 23, the Mayor of
Niamey Commune III notified the CFDR that "due to the current social
climate" authorities could not authorize the rally.
3. Sanoussi Jackou, President of the opposition Nigerien Party for
Self-Reliance (PNA),a member of the CFDR coalition, reacted to the
ban. He stated on a private radio broadcast that the CFDR, "Could
not understand this attitude. It is curious that the government
continues to stage rallies, marches, and other radio and television
statements in its favor, but it bans our peaceful events. This is
not a good omen for our democracy. Fascism is lurking."
4. On July 23, first First Lady Laraba Tandja invited all women and
youth from the Alliance of Forces for Democracy and the Republic
(AFDR - the ruling coalition) to a rally at the "Maison des Jeunes
Diado Sekou" in Niamey on July 25 in support of President Tandja's
referendum plan. Authorities apparently have authorized this
gathering.
ALLEN
DEPT FOR AF/W AND AF/RSA
PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W
ACCRA ALSO FOR USAID/WA
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI NG
SUBJECT: Niger: Court Rules Union Strike Illegal, GON Bans
Opposition Rally; First Lady Plans July 25 Rally
Ref: a) Niamey 522 b) Niamey 521 c) Niamey 520 d) Niamey 479
e) Niamey 225
1. On July 20, the Inter-Union of Niger's Workers (ITN),made up of
seven labor confederations, notified the government of its intention
to go on strike on July 23-24 to demand a 10% salary increase and
press President Tandja to repeal his referendum plan. On July 22,
the Government of Niger (GON) lodged a complaint before the Tribunal
of Niamey, requesting that the court ban the strike. The Tribunal
delivered a judgment in chambers the same day, declaring the
projected strike illegal. That evening, state television announced
the court ruling during its newscast. On July 23, Minister of
Communication and Government Spokesperson Mohamed Ben Omar told a
foreign radio station that the strike was "not consistent with
Niger's workers' platform. Their claims were clearly political."
Labor union leaders, who did not have time to call off the strike,
met on July 23 to decide on a course of action. Mission observers
did not detect evidence that a strike occurred.
2. The Coordination of Forces for Democracy and the Republic (CFDR),
the newly-formed coalition of opposition political parties, civil
society organizations, and labor unions, announced a peaceful
demonstration to take place on July 26. On July 23, the Mayor of
Niamey Commune III notified the CFDR that "due to the current social
climate" authorities could not authorize the rally.
3. Sanoussi Jackou, President of the opposition Nigerien Party for
Self-Reliance (PNA),a member of the CFDR coalition, reacted to the
ban. He stated on a private radio broadcast that the CFDR, "Could
not understand this attitude. It is curious that the government
continues to stage rallies, marches, and other radio and television
statements in its favor, but it bans our peaceful events. This is
not a good omen for our democracy. Fascism is lurking."
4. On July 23, first First Lady Laraba Tandja invited all women and
youth from the Alliance of Forces for Democracy and the Republic
(AFDR - the ruling coalition) to a rally at the "Maison des Jeunes
Diado Sekou" in Niamey on July 25 in support of President Tandja's
referendum plan. Authorities apparently have authorized this
gathering.
ALLEN