Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10NIAMEY123
2010-02-22 20:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Niamey
Cable title:
ECOWAS Mediator Abubakar Provides Update on Meeting with
how-toVZCZCXRO0142 RR RUEHPA DE RUEHNM #0123 0532009 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 222009Z FEB 10 FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0024 INFO ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0004 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L NIAMEY 000123
NOFORN
SIPDIS
AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE PASS TO AMEMBASSY MALABO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/02/22
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI ECOWAS NG
SUBJECT: ECOWAS Mediator Abubakar Provides Update on Meeting with
Junta
CLASSIFIED BY: Eric Whitaker, CDA, State, Embassy Niamey; REASON:
1.4(B),(D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L NIAMEY 000123
NOFORN
SIPDIS
AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE PASS TO AMEMBASSY MALABO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/02/22
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI ECOWAS NG
SUBJECT: ECOWAS Mediator Abubakar Provides Update on Meeting with
Junta
CLASSIFIED BY: Eric Whitaker, CDA, State, Embassy Niamey; REASON:
1.4(B),(D)
¶1. (C/NF) On February 20, ECOWAS Mediator for Niger General
(retired) and former Nigeria head of State Abdulsalami Aboubakar
provided Charge with a telephonic update regarding the brief
meeting he and outgoing ECOWAS President Mohamed Ibn Chambas,
Nigerian Deputy Foreign Minister Bagudu Hirse, and Senegalese
Foreign Minister Madicke Niang had with the Supreme Council for
the Restoration of Democracy (SCRD) on the evening of February 19
following its February 18 forcible seizure of power. Mediator
Aboubakar stated that the ECOWAS delegation had urged the CSDR to
foster a quick return to democracy; the CSDR responded that it
would develop a program of action, perhaps within one week's time,
and reaffirmed that it sought to restore democracy as soon as
possible. He added that he retained his title as ECOWAS Mediator
for Niger, even though his role had shifted from that of mediator
for the fruitless MPRR - CFDR Inter-Nigerien Political Dialogue
process.
¶2. (C/NF) Mediator Abubakar related that the CSDR seeks to
accomplish three principal objectives:
a. "Sanitize" politics - referring to dissolving the
Constitution of the 6th Republic and reforming the institutions of
government, such as the Council of Ministers and the National
Assembly;
b. Reconcile society - bring about a new social and political
order that is inclusive and participative; and
c. Restore democracy as soon as possible.
¶3. (C/NF) Mediator Abubakar also said that former President Mamadou
Tandja was well and received daily visits by his personal
physician. The CSDR has released most of the members of the
Council of Ministers already, he noted, and said it would free the
others in the near future.
WHITAKER