C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NIAMEY 000127

SIPDIS
NOFORN
AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE PASS TO AMEMBASSY MALABO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/02/23
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI ECOWAS UN AU NG
SUBJECT: UN-AU-ECOWAS Team Briefs Dip Corps on Meeting with CSRD

REF: 10 NIAMEY 0123

CLASSIFIED BY: Eric Whitaker, CDA, State, Embassy Niamey; REASON:
1.4(B), (D)


1. (C/NF) On the afternoon of February 21, UNDP Resident
Representative and UN Systems Coordinator Khardiata Lo N'Diaye
summoned the heads of mission of Algeria (dean of diplomatic
corps), China, the EU, France, Nigeria, Spain (as EU President),
and the United States for an out-brief by the visiting UN-African
Union (AU)-Economic Commission for West African States (ECOWAS)
delegation immediately following their meeting with the Supreme
Council for the Restoration of Democracy (CSRD). Participation by
the visiting delegation included UN Secretary-General Special
Representative Said Djinnit; ECOWAS President Mohamed Ibn Chambas;
AU Peace and Security Commissioner Amb. Ramtane Lamamra; ECOWAS
Political Affairs, Peace, and Security Commissioner Col. Mahamane
Toure; and Dakar-based UN Principal Political Advisor Anatole
Ayissi.




2. (C/NF) Djinnit opened the one-hour session by condemning the
violent overthrow of the government and underscoring the
delegation's role in reinforcing the existing ECOWAS role led by
Mediator for Niger Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar. He noted that the
delegation had the same objective, and sought to assist in
mobilizing support for the restoration of democracy in Niger. He
noted that the CSRD had stated its intention to bring about
democracy as soon as possible. Djinnit noted that the delegation
had advised the CSDR to understand that the trust of the Nigerien
people and the international community were not guaranteed in the
long-term, but needed to be maintained through "concrete actions;"
that impartiality and inclusive rebuilding where all were treated
the same was key; and that the political transition should be as
short as possible.




3. (C/NF) Heads of mission present offered their thanks to the
delegation for providing the briefing and offered to be supportive

of its efforts, as well as those of Mediator Abubakar. Nigerian
Ambassador Bature Lawal noted that Niger abhorred unconstitutional
changes of government, and that Nigeria was concerned about a
possible "domino effect" within the region. He added that the
situation in Niger was nonetheless a "child of necessity" from
which lessons for the future must be derived. Charge Whitaker
stated that the U.S. Government condemned the forcible seizure of
power, but noted with appreciation the prompt response of
international organizations to Niger's evolving situation, with
both an ECOWAS (reftel) and a UN-AU-ECOWAS delegation meeting with
the CSDR within three days of the start of the crisis. He observed
that it was fortunate that the hostilities were limited, involved
few casualties, and were not directed against civilians. The
Charge emphasized the importance of transparency and inclusiveness
in a political outcome to reverse the erosion of Niger's democracy
that had taken place over the past 10 months. He also mentioned
the importance of the CSRD's making concrete progress in the near
term in the face of looming and extensive food insecurity.





4. (C/NF) Chambas thanked the heads of mission and said he was
assured of the good will of the international community regarding
the situation in Niger. He noted that good will would not last
long without visible measures on the part of the CSRD to restore
democracy promptly. He added that Africa now had "zero tolerance
for coups." Chambas cited the success of Niger in dealing with the
Tuareg rebel groups in the north, and observed that this
understanding must be kept, as terrorism and trafficking remained
problems.




5. (C/NF) In a follow-on meeting with the same heads of mission on
the evening of February 21, Lo N'Diaye restated the objectives of
the CSRD as expressed to the delegation as being to "clean up" the
political situation, reconcile the nation, and return to a
sustained democracy. She noted that the CSRD's Consultative
Council would be a broad group, more like the National Assembly
than the Council of Ministers, and that the CSRD would "build a
transitional program" involving elections in which its members
would not/not compete. Lo N'Diaye stated the CSRD members realized

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the nation's development process had been damaged and that they
sought the indulgence of the international community. The CSRD
members said that they wanted this to be the "last coup," and
wished to provide a foundation for democracy. They asked why
Niger's "political class could not manage" the situation, and said
that "ruling was not their job." The CSRD accepted the framework
of the UN-AU-ECOWAS mediation, and agreed to work to provide
Mediator Abubakar a "new agenda." Finally, she added that the CSRD
had released Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation
Mindaoudou, and promised that the other ministers would be treated
fairly, with respect for their dignity.
WHITAKER