Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10ABUJA30
2010-01-11 13:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NIGERIAN NUGGETS -- JANUARY 11, 2010
how-toVZCZCXRO4710 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #0030 0111307 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 111307Z JAN 10 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7999 INFO RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS PRIORITY 2649 RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 2128 RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 000030
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL, INR/AA;
USAID FOR AFR/WA (DALZOUMA)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2020
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIAN NUGGETS -- JANUARY 11, 2010
Classified By: Political Counselor James P. McAnulty
for reasons in sections 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 000030
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL, INR/AA;
USAID FOR AFR/WA (DALZOUMA)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2020
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIAN NUGGETS -- JANUARY 11, 2010
Classified By: Political Counselor James P. McAnulty
for reasons in sections 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) Mission Nigeria provides the following compilation of
recent political, economic, and social developments not
previously reported.
--------------
AVIATION COMMUNITY EXPRESSES
SUPPORT FOR MORE SCREENING
--------------
2. (U) Members of the Nigerian aviation community expressed
their support for the introduction of increased security
screening following the December 25 attempted bombing of a
U.S. jetliner. Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON),an
aviation association comprised of members working for more
than 20 commercial carriers, informed the U.S. Mission via
mail that they "endorse in totality President Obama's
directive (to) tighten air operation guidelines." The
general public, however, expressed mixed opinions. For
example, members of the public echoed the AON's sentiment
during a Vision FM call-in radio show in Hausa, "Nijeriya A
Yau," stating that the first major duty of any country is to
protect its citizens from attack. On the other hand, a
Nigerian Television Authority survey reported that most
Nigerians are opposed to the inclusion of Nigeria as a
"country of interest" by the United States calling the
action, "unnecessary," "unwarranted," and "unfortunate."
-------------- --------------
USG STATEMENT ON NIGER BRINGS TANDJA BACK TO TABLE
-------------- --------------
3. (U) Former President of Nigeria and Economic Community of
West African States (ECOWAS) Mediator General Abdulsalami
Abubakar continued mediation efforts between President
Mamadou Tandja's government and Niger's opposition leaders in
Niamey during the week of December 21, aimed at ending the
ongoing constitutional political crisis. ECOWAS released a
statement on December 22, saying it "takes note of the fact
that December 22, 2009, marks the legal end of the mandate of
President Mamadou Tandja." ECOWAS already suspended Niger's
membership in October. President Tandja's government reacted
on December 23 "with astonishment and indignation about the
ECOWAS 22 December 2009 statement," stressing that the
unhelpful statement had come just one day after the opening
of the inter-Nigerien dialogues.
4. (C) ECOWAS Political Affairs Director Dr. Abdel-Fatau
Musah told PolMilOff on January 5 that upon learning of the
ECOWAS statement on the Tandja mandate issue, the Nigerien
delegation walked out and negotiations stalled. Dr. Musah
expressed "great appreciation" for the USG statement issued
the same day suspending humanitarian aid to Niger and
imposing travel restrictions on members of Tandja's
government, remarking that Tandja's delegation "was forced
back to the table." Though negotiations resumed, Tandja's
delegation did not budge, "refusing to give an inch" during
negotiations. On January 5, Dr. Musah drafted a new proposal
envisioned by Abubakar proposing a constitutional convention,
rather than a return to the old Constitution. According to
Musah, Niger opposition leaders were willing to accept this
compromise.
SANDERS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL, INR/AA;
USAID FOR AFR/WA (DALZOUMA)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2020
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIAN NUGGETS -- JANUARY 11, 2010
Classified By: Political Counselor James P. McAnulty
for reasons in sections 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) Mission Nigeria provides the following compilation of
recent political, economic, and social developments not
previously reported.
--------------
AVIATION COMMUNITY EXPRESSES
SUPPORT FOR MORE SCREENING
--------------
2. (U) Members of the Nigerian aviation community expressed
their support for the introduction of increased security
screening following the December 25 attempted bombing of a
U.S. jetliner. Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON),an
aviation association comprised of members working for more
than 20 commercial carriers, informed the U.S. Mission via
mail that they "endorse in totality President Obama's
directive (to) tighten air operation guidelines." The
general public, however, expressed mixed opinions. For
example, members of the public echoed the AON's sentiment
during a Vision FM call-in radio show in Hausa, "Nijeriya A
Yau," stating that the first major duty of any country is to
protect its citizens from attack. On the other hand, a
Nigerian Television Authority survey reported that most
Nigerians are opposed to the inclusion of Nigeria as a
"country of interest" by the United States calling the
action, "unnecessary," "unwarranted," and "unfortunate."
-------------- --------------
USG STATEMENT ON NIGER BRINGS TANDJA BACK TO TABLE
-------------- --------------
3. (U) Former President of Nigeria and Economic Community of
West African States (ECOWAS) Mediator General Abdulsalami
Abubakar continued mediation efforts between President
Mamadou Tandja's government and Niger's opposition leaders in
Niamey during the week of December 21, aimed at ending the
ongoing constitutional political crisis. ECOWAS released a
statement on December 22, saying it "takes note of the fact
that December 22, 2009, marks the legal end of the mandate of
President Mamadou Tandja." ECOWAS already suspended Niger's
membership in October. President Tandja's government reacted
on December 23 "with astonishment and indignation about the
ECOWAS 22 December 2009 statement," stressing that the
unhelpful statement had come just one day after the opening
of the inter-Nigerien dialogues.
4. (C) ECOWAS Political Affairs Director Dr. Abdel-Fatau
Musah told PolMilOff on January 5 that upon learning of the
ECOWAS statement on the Tandja mandate issue, the Nigerien
delegation walked out and negotiations stalled. Dr. Musah
expressed "great appreciation" for the USG statement issued
the same day suspending humanitarian aid to Niger and
imposing travel restrictions on members of Tandja's
government, remarking that Tandja's delegation "was forced
back to the table." Though negotiations resumed, Tandja's
delegation did not budge, "refusing to give an inch" during
negotiations. On January 5, Dr. Musah drafted a new proposal
envisioned by Abubakar proposing a constitutional convention,
rather than a return to the old Constitution. According to
Musah, Niger opposition leaders were willing to accept this
compromise.
SANDERS