MADUEKWE REITERATES SUPPORT FOR COUNTER-TERRORISM AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ABUJA 000163 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AF/RSA, AF/PDPA, DRL, INR/AA AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE PASS TO AMEMBASSY MALABO E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/01/26 TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR PTER OVIP SOCI NI SUBJECT: MADUEKWE REITERATES SUPPORT FOR COUNTER-TERRORISM AND DEMOCRACY CLASSIFIED BY: James P. McAnulty, Political Counselor, U.S. Embassy Abuja, Political Section; REASON: 1.4(B),(D) -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Nigerian Foreign Minister Chief Ojo Maduekwe reiterated to Assistant Secretary Carson and the Ambassador February 9 his country's full support for counter-terrorism engagement in Nigeria and regionally and commitment to democratic principles and the constitution during Yar'Adua's absence. Maduekwe also expressed interest in strengthening bilateral relations through the proposed Binational Commission (BNC),greater support for enhanced security, and nomination of a new Ambassador to the United States. Special Assistant Cook and PolOff (notetaker) also attended the meeting. END SUMMARY. -------------- SECURITY IN SOMALIA -------------- ¶2. (C) Foreign Minister Maduekwe informed Assistant Secretary Carson of his recent conversations with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin and Somali President Sheikh Sharif, both of whom expressed "excitement" about U.S. and Nigerian support for Somalia. Maduekwe also conveyed Nigeria's support, explaining that "although we are separated by miles from Somalia, Nigerians can be affected just the same." Therefore, he said. Nigeria remained committed to providing training, security, and other support where possible. Ambassador Carson agreed that Somalia's problems presented not only internal challenges, but regional and global ones -- from arms trafficking and smuggling to refugees and Somali-American citizens recruited as suicide bombers. Ambassador Carson noted that the Ugandan, Kenyan, and Ethiopian Governments have all expressed their strong commitment to security in Somalia -- explaining that all three countries remained concerned with Somalia's insecurity extending beyond its borders -- and encouraged Maduekwe to continue his country's material and financial support and issue strong statements in support of counter-terrorism and stabilization efforts in Somalia. -------------- "COUNTRY OF INTEREST" -------------- ¶3. (C) Assistant Secretary Carson acknowledged Nigeria's frustration with the addition of Nigeria to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) "countries of interest" listing and suggested to Maduekwe that counter-terrorism issues need not detract from the broader bilateral relationship, if handled properly. He suggested five ways that the Nigerian Government (GON) could demonstrate its commitment to counter-terrorism efforts by: 1) officially acknowledging the problem in Nigeria; 2) issuing strong statements on terrorism, especially on how terrorism has affected Nigerian citizens; 3) beefing up airport security; 4) expediting approval of the Air Marshal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to permit travel by U.S. Air Marshals on outgoing flights from Nigeria; and 5) approving counter-terrorism legislation to facilitate prosecution and conviction of terrorists. The Foreign Minister assured Ambassador Carson that he "agreed with everything" he said, but insisted that he was not aware of a hold up in the aviation agreement. He asserted that "there is no time to waste" and promised to look into the matter immediately. ABUJA 00000163 002 OF 003 ¶4. (C) Foreign Minister Maduekwe assured Assistant Secretary Carson that Nigerians were shocked when they heard that the Christmas bomber came from Nigeria, adding that the incident "forced the government to ask itself whether there were more like him out there, waiting to try again." Maduekwe asserted that Nigeria could not afford to wait for Americans or other countries to uncover terrorists in their midst, insisting that Nigeria adopt a more proactive approach. He praised the proposed establishment of the U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission (BNC),which he said involved a "great act of foresight, having existed well before the Christmas Day bomber incident." He admitted, however, that "Nigeria cannot pretend the BNC will be easy to implement, for which U.S. patience would be needed and appreciated." -------------- ANAMBRA ELECTIONS -------------- ¶5. (C) Ambassador Carson conveyed to Foreign Minister Maduekwe his concern that the recent Anambra elections, while having credible results for the people, suffered from administrative failures and mismanagement, such as missing or inaccurate registration lists and insufficient numbers of ballots. The Assistant Secretary told Maduekwe that he recognized Anambra was a small state and just one election and that the absence of the President could provide an additional challenge, but that the administrative and management problems must be addressed before the entire nation participates in elections in 2011. Referring to the absence of Yar'Adua, Maduekwe commented that "Nigeria has never experienced such a challenging environment as they do now." Maduekwe added that Nigeria's Constitution did not provide clear guidelines on such matters, noting that Section 143 only gave the GON the ability to pronounce on the President's incapacitation. The Foreign Minister explained that, under Section 145, Yar'Adua had to write a letter transferring power to the Vice President, but the real problem was that no one knew his actual health status. He reassured Ambassador Carson that, despite the noise in the press, a strong consensus existed among the Cabinet, National Assembly, Governors' Forum, and the Courts that Nigeria could not wait any longer. Maduekwe, nonetheless, insisted that no power vacuum existed, the Vice President exercised clear control of the country, and all Nigerians remained committed to "common sense and the Constitution." -------------- ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW CONSULATE -------------- ¶6. (C) Ambassador Carson informed the Foreign Minister that the U.S. had decided to open up a Consulate in Kano as a way to strengthen outreach to more than 75 million Muslims in Nigeria's Northern States. Maduekwe, in turn, informed Ambassador Carson of the recent designation of a new Ambassador to the United States, whom he described as a "seasoned and professional career diplomat," now awaiting word from the State Department. Maduekwe regretted the events surrounding the previously-designated Ambassador had caused considerable strain and delays in identifying and appointing a new Ambassador. ¶7. (U) Participants: United States: ABUJA 00000163 003 OF 003 Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Johnnie Carson Ambassador Robin Renee R. Sanders Special Assistant Akunna E. Cook Embassy Political Officer Anthony R. Eterno (notetaker) Nigeria: Foreign Minister Chief Ojo Maduekwe Minister of State Alhaji Jibrin Maigari Acting Permanent Secretary Ambassador A. A. Sekudo Acting Ambassador to the U.S. Babagana Wakil Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs Ambassador T. D. Hart Regions Department Director Vincent Okoedion Information and Communication Director Ozo Nwubo North America and Caribbean Director Alhaji Rabiu Shehu Special Assistant Professor Akinteriwa SANDERS