Niger: Potential Suspension or Termination of USAID and MCC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NIAMEY 000591 STATE FOR AF, AF/W, AF/RSA, AND DRL/AE PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W MCC FOR PIR/TP - M CHAKA FOR AF A/S JOHNNIE CARSON AND MCC THRESHOLD PROGRAMS DIRECTOR MALIK CHAKA FROM AMB BERNADETTE ALLEN SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREL PGOV PHUM SOCI US NG SUBJECT: Niger: Potential Suspension or Termination of USAID and MCC Girl's Education Projects ¶1. (SBU) Summary: I am writing to urge continuation of two programs in Niger that promote girls education on the grounds of our national security interests and for humanitarian purposes. I believe that cancelling the investment in the education of girls would send a message that we are abandoning important means of transitioning from widespread poverty, low health and education standards (including illiteracy). I believe continuation of these two programs would send a message that the U.S. Government continues to stand with the people of Niger most in need of basic human services, despite the decline of democracy in Niger that negatively impacts our bilateral relationship. Terminating these two programs will have little if any effect on the Government of Niger's leadership, as children of the elite do not rely on the girl's scholarship program or local public schools for educations, rather they can opt to send their children to private institutions or abroad for study. We should continue to take a firm stance in support of health and education, as well as food security and other programs that directly support the well being of Niger's most vulnerable children and communities. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) It is important that the degradation of democracy in Niger not go without a measured response that underscores the importance of democratic practices and institutions, as well as rule of law in anchoring long-term development, political inclusiveness, and respect for human rights. That said, in light of the interagency discussions taking place to determine an appropriate U.S. Government response to the unconstitutional extension of President Tandja's term in office, I wish to weigh in on the side of continuing two programs in Niger in particular - the USAID-financed Ambassador's Girl Scholarship Program (AGSP) and the MCC Threshold Girls' Education Program (which uses the acronym "IMAGINE"). These projects target primary school girls and boys from the poorest areas of the country. AGSP supports 420 girls through the provision of scholarships, learning materials, mentoring, uniforms, and HIV/AIDS prevention education. IMAGINE supports approximately 40,000 primary school students (half of them girls) through the construction of 68 school complexes, teacher training, books and material, school feeding programs, and community development activities for income generation, literacy, and good governance. ¶3. (SBU) I strongly contend that these two programs should be continued for two reasons: a) their continuation would benefit U.S. national interests, including our security interests; and b) on the humanitarian grounds that these two programs provide a better educated, healthier, wealthier, less fecund, and less aid-dependent citizenry - who often must rely on external assistance for food and other basic needs. ¶4. (SBU) Cancelling these two programs would send a message to Niger's people that we are abandoning them due to the actions of their President. The message we should be sending is a positive one: that our displeasure is with President Tandja's regime, and not with Niger's most vulnerable children, families, and communities. ¶5. (SBU) There is a broad and deep respect and affection for the United States and its people among the people of Niger. Despite the messages of extremists in the sub-region, and some past negative perceptions of U.S. Government foreign policy, the United States continues to be held in high esteem. This is due in large part to the long history of on-the-ground development and humanitarian programs the U.S. Government has implemented in Niger in good times and bad over the nation's five decades of independence. This affection is even greater since our last Presidential election. It is now common to see photos of President Obama and the flag on the walls of shops and kiosks and the windows of taxicabs, minivans, and trucks throughout Niger. This good will translates into resistance to those radical imams and others who seek to promote violent extremism. This reservoir of good will should not be jeopardized. ¶6. (SBU) The belief that the continuation of the IMAGINE component of the MCC Threshold Program would be perceived as an indication that Niger may still become eligible for a Compact Program is false. Over the past year Embassy team members (including me on a number of occasions),visiting USAID and MCC officials have made it clear to Niger's leaders that attempts to undermine the constitution would end any hope of a Compact for Niger. This position can be restated with the suspension or termination of the other aspects of Niger's MCC Threshold Program (such as the Anti-corruption, Business Climate, and Land Reform components) as well as other programs that aid Niger's Government directly. ¶7. (U) The AGSP and IMAGINE programs address key immediate, mid, and long-range issues that keep Niger poor and in constant need of NIAMEY 00000591 002 OF 002 humanitarian aid: -- Niger has the highest rate of birth in Africa, if not the world. The girls in this program statistically will have significantly smaller families than those who do not benefit from a primary education; -- Niger has one of the highest rates of illiteracy in the world, especially for women. The vast majority of those who voted in the August constitutional referendum were from rural areas and were illiterate. Most could not understand the proposed new constitution or even the ballot. If they were literate, their ability to judge for themselves the merits of the real issues involved and consequences of their vote would have increased dramatically, rather than simply tending to obey village chiefs. Those children learning to read and write will not only be able to better judge issues for themselves but, as research shows, their families are more likely to be literate. By dropping these programs we will extend the period of illiteracy for the children we wish to support; and -- Moreover, the programs involve school feeding for most of the children, as well as family rations for many of the girls. Thousands more families will be healthier and less vulnerable to the health risks associated with malnutrition. ¶8. (U) The correlation between a primary education for girls and improvements in family health, household income, and food security is well documented. The two girls' education programs in Niger, together will provide primary education for approximately 40,000 children (half of them girls),improved quality of learning through the provision of learning materials and vastly improved facilities) localized teacher training, HIV/AIDS prevention training, student mentoring, school feeding programs, improved local engagement in self-generated development activities, improved understanding of rights and democracy, and income generation activities for approximately 3,000 mothers. 68 school complexes will be constructed comprising 200 school rooms, 200 modest houses for new female teachers, wells or cisterns, latrines, and covered areas for day-care, canteens, or other community needs. ¶9. (SBU) The U.S. Government can make a clear signal that President Tandja's grab for continued power violates our values and those of his people and their established political processes and constitution of 1999. Due to his actions, however, the U.S. Government can no longer in good faith support programs of the Government of Niger, such as the various regional programs we have that promote trade, energy, and research, as well as the aspects of the MCC Threshold Program that deal with the national government - anti-corruption, business start ups, and land reform. ¶10. (SBU) We should also make it clear that Niger will not be considered for an MCC Compact Program under the current political conditions. We should not, however, "throw the baby out with the bath water," and forfeit the substantial good will the Nigerien people have for the United States and its government. Our message will only be stronger if we show our continued concern for Niger's people while showing our deep displeasure with its head of state. In sum, I am urging continuation of the two programs that promote girls education. ALLEN