Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NIAMEY812
2009-10-07 17:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Niamey
Cable title:
National Police Prevent Former National Assembly Members
how-toVZCZCXRO4722 RR RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHNM #0812 2801716 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 071716Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5369 INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 1670 RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
UNCLAS NIAMEY 000812
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
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI PHUM NG
SUBJECT: National Police Prevent Former National Assembly Members
from Organizing
Ref: Niamey 00618
UNCLAS NIAMEY 000812
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
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI PHUM NG
SUBJECT: National Police Prevent Former National Assembly Members
from Organizing
Ref: Niamey 00618
1. On October 6, national police prevented 67 former National
Assembly members from accessing the headquarters of the Nigerien
Democratic Movement (MODEN),an opposition party created by former
Prime Minister Hama Amadou. The former parliamentarians had planned
to organize a symbolic "opening of the National Assembly Session"
challenging the legislative elections slated for October 20 under
the new constitution. Police, seeming to have insider knowledge of
the unscheduled event, interrupted their plan by preventing entry to
the building. There were no reports of violence or arrests.
2. Comment: This attempt to undermine publicly the legitimacy of
the GON is not new. On August 24, the Coordination of Forces for
Democracy and the Republic (CFDR) held a town hall meeting during
which 50 former parliamentarians proposed a resolution to reinstate
the National Assembly (reftel). No resolution was enacted, and this
second failed attempt illustrates the opposition's inability to
de-legitimize the GON. End comment.
WHITAKER
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
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI PHUM NG
SUBJECT: National Police Prevent Former National Assembly Members
from Organizing
Ref: Niamey 00618
1. On October 6, national police prevented 67 former National
Assembly members from accessing the headquarters of the Nigerien
Democratic Movement (MODEN),an opposition party created by former
Prime Minister Hama Amadou. The former parliamentarians had planned
to organize a symbolic "opening of the National Assembly Session"
challenging the legislative elections slated for October 20 under
the new constitution. Police, seeming to have insider knowledge of
the unscheduled event, interrupted their plan by preventing entry to
the building. There were no reports of violence or arrests.
2. Comment: This attempt to undermine publicly the legitimacy of
the GON is not new. On August 24, the Coordination of Forces for
Democracy and the Republic (CFDR) held a town hall meeting during
which 50 former parliamentarians proposed a resolution to reinstate
the National Assembly (reftel). No resolution was enacted, and this
second failed attempt illustrates the opposition's inability to
de-legitimize the GON. End comment.
WHITAKER