Political Rights Activist Flees Country

UNCLAS NIAMEY 000808 DEPT FOR AF/W AND AF/RSA PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W ACCRA ALSO FOR USAID/WA ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU - J MAYBURY PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM SOCI NG SUBJECT: Political Rights Activist Flees Country Ref: Niamey 00684 ¶1. (SBU) On October 4, Marou Amadou, President of the United Front for the Preservation of Democratic Gains (FUSAD),left Niger en route to Paris. Embassy Political Specialist spoke with Amadou by phone on October 5, who told him that he and one of his colleagues were able to leave Niger without any problems. He did state that, however, their departure from the Niamey airport seemed to "catch the attention" of those working there. When asked for his reason for flying to Paris, Amadou answered that he was going for a "routine medical checkup, work with French counterparts, and then fly back to Niamey 'very soon.'" ¶2. (U) Amadou provisionally was released from prison on September 15 by the Niamey Court of Appeals (reftel). Since his release, rumors surfaced that Nigerien police would try to arrest him under new charges. On September 17, Amadou noticed a police presence near his house, and hence alerted fellow rights activists, who immediately showed up in order to "support and protect him." That night, his supporters managed to move him secretly from his house to a safe haven. Amadou's lawyers met with judicial authorities to find out why there were police officials staked outside of his house. While the officials said it had not issued a warrant, and that it was not aware of what had happened during that night, Amadou decided to remain in hiding. He re-appeared on September 22 and held a press conference in which he reasserted his determination "to continue the fight." WHITAKER