Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NIAMEY819
2009-10-13 19:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Niamey
Cable title:
President Tandja Appoints New Cabinet Members
how-toVZCZCXRO8991 RR RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHNM #0819 2861924 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 131924Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5382 INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 1673 RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
UNCLAS NIAMEY 000819
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 SOCI NG
SUBJECT: President Tandja Appoints New Cabinet Members
Ref: Niamey 00701
UNCLAS NIAMEY 000819
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 SOCI NG
SUBJECT: President Tandja Appoints New Cabinet Members
Ref: Niamey 00701
1. (U) On October 10, President Tandja appointed Kassoum Mamane
Moctar to serve as Minister of Communication and Government
Spokesperson. He also appointed Salah Ben Mamouda Ali to serve as
Minister of Religious Affairs and Humanitarian Action. The two
appointees replace Mohamed Ben Omar and Issaka Labo, both of whom
resigned September 23 to become eligible to run in the legislative
elections slated for October 20 (reftel).
2. (U) The appointment of Kassoum, 31, has caused uproar among
opposition members. According to local media accounts, critics
argue that Kassoum has no experience in the public arena and lacks
the needed education level to carry out such a high-level function.
(Note: Kassoum does not hold a college-level degree. End note.)
Before his appointment as Minister of Communication, Kassoum was a
youth leader, and took part in several marches in support of
President Tandja's bid to change the constitution to extend his term
in office. Mamouda, however, is a relatively unknown public figure,
and thus has eluded such criticism, at least for the time being.
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
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI NG
SUBJECT: President Tandja Appoints New Cabinet Members
Ref: Niamey 00701
1. (U) On October 10, President Tandja appointed Kassoum Mamane
Moctar to serve as Minister of Communication and Government
Spokesperson. He also appointed Salah Ben Mamouda Ali to serve as
Minister of Religious Affairs and Humanitarian Action. The two
appointees replace Mohamed Ben Omar and Issaka Labo, both of whom
resigned September 23 to become eligible to run in the legislative
elections slated for October 20 (reftel).
2. (U) The appointment of Kassoum, 31, has caused uproar among
opposition members. According to local media accounts, critics
argue that Kassoum has no experience in the public arena and lacks
the needed education level to carry out such a high-level function.
(Note: Kassoum does not hold a college-level degree. End note.)
Before his appointment as Minister of Communication, Kassoum was a
youth leader, and took part in several marches in support of
President Tandja's bid to change the constitution to extend his term
in office. Mamouda, however, is a relatively unknown public figure,
and thus has eluded such criticism, at least for the time being.
WHITAKER