Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NIAMEY882
2009-11-12 12:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Niamey
Cable title:  

NIGER: NEW PRIME MINISTER'S VIEWS ON THE OPPOSITION

Tags:  PREL PGOV PHUM SOCI KDEM NG 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5866
RR RUEHPA
DE RUEHNM #0882/01 3161215
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 121215Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5449
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 1697
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEHLMC/MCC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NIAMEY 000882 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W AND AF/RSA; PLS PASS TO USAID/AFR/W
ACCRA FOR USAID/WA
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU - J MAYBURY
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM SOCI KDEM NG
SUBJECT: NIGER: NEW PRIME MINISTER'S VIEWS ON THE OPPOSITION

REF: A. NIAMEY 864 (NOTAL)

B. NIAMEY 854

NIAMEY 00000882 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Ambassador Bernadette M. Allen, Reason 1.4 (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NIAMEY 000882

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W AND AF/RSA; PLS PASS TO USAID/AFR/W
ACCRA FOR USAID/WA
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU - J MAYBURY
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM SOCI KDEM NG
SUBJECT: NIGER: NEW PRIME MINISTER'S VIEWS ON THE OPPOSITION

REF: A. NIAMEY 864 (NOTAL)

B. NIAMEY 854

NIAMEY 00000882 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Ambassador Bernadette M. Allen, Reason 1.4 (d)


1. (C) Summary: On November 2, Ambassador Allen (Embassy
PolOff note taker) met Government of Niger (GON) Prime
Minister (PM) Ali Badjo Gamatie at the PM's office. Over the
past few months, the GON has made concerted efforts to
silence its critics and to marginalize the opposition. Some
GON members and "Tazarce" supporters have even labeled
opposition members as acting "unpatriotic." (Note: Tazarce
in Hausa language means "let it continue." End note.) When
asked about the "unpatriotic" labeling, PM Gamatie argued
that "certain oppositon members are plotting against the
Republic of Niger (RON). He added that the GON has proof of
the plotting and alleged that opposition leaders receive
financial support from outsiders, notably from Nigeria, who
funnel funds through questionable foreign bank accounts.
(Note: This is the final of three cables detailing the
meeting between the Ambassador and the new GON Prime
Minister. End note.) End summary.

Opposition Members Responsible for ECOWAS Sanctions with
Outside Support
-------------- --------------


2. (C) In the meetng with PM Gamatie, the Ambassador inquired
why opposition members who have voiced objections to
President Tandja's three-year extension of office are being
labeled as "unpatriotic." The PM attributed the label to
opposition members who are plotting against the RON. He
added that the GON became aware some opposition members with
close ties to the Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS) parliamentarians, notably those representing
Nigeria, secretly pressure the ECOWAS leadership to impose
sanctions on Niger. Gamatie suggested that such actions are
the reason behind allegations that certain opposition members
are acting unpatriotic.


3. (C) He accused opposition members of working with the

Government of Nigeria and ECOWAS leadership to suspend the
RON's ECOWAS membership. He added that the reason some GON
opposition members have remained in Nigeria for an extended
period is because of connections with Nigerian officials at
the highest levels of office. He claimed that the ECOWAS
decision of October 17, 2009, to suspend the RON had not been
on the initial ECOWAS agenda, but was added only after
successful lobbying by opposition members. He stated that
the GON knows that the ECOWAS is being pressured by the
Governments of Nigeria and the United States to impose
sanctions. Ambassador did not respond to the remark
regarding USG pressure on ECOWAS, but stated that "the USG
supports the ECOWAS position as noted in the USG's last
issued declaration on the RON's political situation. The USG
position has not changed."

International Arrest Warrants Against Opposition Members
-------------- --------------


4. (SBU) The GON has issued international arrest warrants
against Democratic Convention and Social Party (CDS)
President Mahamane Ousmane, Nigerien Party for Socialism and
Democracy (PNDS) President Mahamadou Issoufou, and former GON
Prime Minister Hama Amadou. (Note: No country has acted on
the warrants. End note.) The GON has accused Ousmane,
Issoufou and Amadou of holding embezzled government funds in
foreign bank accounts, allegations the three have
categorically denied. Gamatie acknowleded not becoming aware
of the arrest warrant issued against Issoufou until he heard
about it on the local news. He stated he immediately had the
warrant rescinded.

Opposition Receives Financial Support from Outside
-------------- --------------


5. (C) Gamatie claimed that the GON has documentation to
prove that opposition members have received funds from the
Government of Nigeria, such as proof of wire tranfers. He
added that when he first learned of this that he immediately
advised President Tandja to keep the information within the
President's inner circle and not to go public with it.

NIAMEY 00000882 002.2 OF 002


According to Gamatie, the Central Bank of Nigeria has wired
over 4.2 million euro dollars to the bank accounts belonging
to Issoufou and Ousmane; located in Switzerland and South
Africa.

Ousmane Seeks to Retain ECOWAS Parliamentarian Role
-------------- --------------


6. (SBU) Gamatie stated that Ousmane is collaborating with
the Government of Nigeria in order to protect his status in
the ECOWAS parliament. He argued that if ECOWAS would have
recognized the RON's October 20 legislative election results,
Ousmane would have been replaced as Niger's representative to
the ECOWAS parliament. Gamatie closed his remarks about
Ousmane by opining that the primary reason Ousmane continues
to court ECOWAS members is to ensure that his position in the
ECOWAS parliament is secure. He complained that "ECOWAS is
working as the armed forces of the opposition" and that Abuja
is complicating the peace process.
ALLEN