Charge Meets with Junta;

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 NIAMEY 000129 SIPDIS NOFORN AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE PASS TO AMEMBASSY MALABO E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/02/25 TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI US NG PTER PINR EAID EAGR MASS SUBJECT: Charge Meets with Junta; REF: 10 STATE 16833; 10 ROME 0025; USDAO NIAMEY IIR 6 928 0048 10 USDAO NIAMEY IIR 6 928 0042 10 CLASSIFIED BY: Eric Whitaker, CDA, State, Embassy Niamey; REASON: 1.4(B),(D) ¶1. (C/NF) Summary: On February 25, Brigadier General Souleyman Salou and Colonel Moussa Gros, Senior Military Advisor to the CSRD President, met with ChargC) d'Affaires Whitaker in a frank and productive session that broached a wide variety of topics. General Salou opened by stating his pride at receiving the U.S. delegation; highlighting the friendship between the two countries, he expressed his desire that relations be deepened in the future. He acknowledged that the U.S. Government did not condone forcible changes of government, but noted Niger had reached a point of no return and that the military felt it compelled to act decisively. General Salou said the transition period would involve political decisions made by an inclusive Consultative Council, appealed for U.S. assistance regarding coming food insecurity, requested the renewal of bilateral military-to-military cooperation and security assistance, stated that all political parties would be held "equidistant," and emphasized that government structures continued to operate from the secretary general level on down. End summary. Brigadier General Salou, Colonel Gros Receive Embassy Team -------------- -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C/NF) On February 25, during a 40-minute warm and cordial meeting conducted in French at the Air Force Headquarters in Niamey, Brigadier General Souleymane Salou, Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy (CSRD) member and uncle of CSRD President Salou Djibo, and Colonel Moussa Gros, Senior Military Advisor to the CSRD President, received ChargC) d'Affaires Whitaker, who was accompanied by the Defense AttachC),Pol Officer, and Pol Specialist. CSRD Shares Security Concerns -------------- ¶3. (C/NF) General Salou stated that the CSRD shared U.S. concerns about the events of February 18. He indicated that the CSRD would continue bilateral information liaison via the Directorate General for Documentation and External Security (DGDSE). He stressed that if the USG "shared the same concerns" as the CSRD, cooperation would be most welcome in the areas of food aid, security assistance, the fight against al-Qaida, and support for the regime. General Salou outlined the CSRD's objectives, which are: stabilizing the country's political situation; promoting reconciliation among Nigeriens; and restoring democracy. He stated that the CSRD President had asked him to request U.S. support to achieve these objectives, with a high priority to addressing the food security situation and the restoration of democracy. "We officially request your support," he told the ChargC). Regarding the coordination of future meetings, General Salou said that future contact with the CSRD would not be necessary, as the civilian government should soon begin functioning as before. ChargC) Delivers Points, Notes Primacy of ECOWAS Mediator -------------- -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C/NF) The ChargC) thanked the interlocutors for the meeting and stated that the Embassy looks forward to the prompt restoration of democracy in Niger. The ChargC) then presented ref A talking points on condemning the use of military means to seize power, the importance of the quick establishment of an inclusive transitional government, the strengthening of democratic institutions to ensure future transitions are peaceful and democratic, the establishment of a timetable for elections, and the non-candidacy of CSRD members in future elections. The ChargC) stressed the importance of ECOWAS as playing a key role in supporting the democratic transition through Mediator for Niger Abdulsalami Aboubakar. He highlighted NIAMEY 00000129 002 OF 003 the long-standing, amicable relations between the people of the United States and Niger. He also inquired as to the evolving configuration of the CSRD, and expressed hopes that the Consultative Council now under formation would be as inclusive and participative as possible. General Salou accepted the ChargC)'s talking points, and responded that the a specific list of CSRD members had not been set, stating that the CSRD did not function based on "membership," which might marginalize certain groups, but rather as a collegial formation in the name of the entire Nigerien Armed Forces. "We want to avoid anything that would divide the Nigerien people," he noted. CSRD Understands Vigilance, Expectations of International Community -------------- -------------- -------------- ¶5. (C/NF) In response, Colonel Gros said that the CSRD was pleased with the frank and substantive discussion. He stated, "We are aware that coups are no longer 'fashionable' (smiling),and that Armed Forces did not have the right to interfere in political disputes. We also know that the United States is monitoring the situation in Niger, and that you know all that happened in this country over the past year. ECOWAS and other international bodies did their best, but to no avail. You know the Nigerien people's concerns regarding this situation, and that the Armed Forces remained 'quiet.' Unfortunately, the ECOWAS mediation failed, and the opposition called its supporters to 'come out in force.' If they had not acted as they did, the situation would have degenerated into a confrontation like that in Guinea, and the Armed Forces would have been divided. Consequently, we decided to put an end to this and 're-set all counters to zero.' Niger had been peaceful and democratic for nearly ten years, but its leader tried to impose a tailor-made constitution, and the Armed Forces were aware that such was an illegal move. We were lucky to have avoided bloodshed. We note that the population continues its spontaneous support (for the CSRD's action)." CSRD Will Not Stay in Power, Nor Run for Office -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C/NF) Colonel Gros went on to state that the Armed Forces would not stay in power, and would not take sides with any political party. He assured that the CSRD would establish a Consultative Council comprising representatives from Niger's socio-professional and political strata. The Consultative Council will think about charting the nation's political future, and propose a timeframe for the transition to organize free and fair elections to ensure sustainable democratic governance in Niger. Colonel Gros stated that the CSRD shared the USG's concerns, and confirmed that no member of the CSRD would be a candidate in future elections. ¶7. (C/NF) When pressed by the ChargC) on specifics regarding day-to-day operations of the government, General Salou emphasized that government structures continued to operate from the secretary general level on down. He noted that the CSRD would not likely have ongoing coordination with governmental ministries, anticipating that they would continue their functions as normal. No Timeframe for Transition; Political Parties Held "Equidistant" -------------- -------------- -------------- ¶8. (C/NF) General Salou pointed out that the CSRD did not want to propose a timeframe for the transition, because it did not want Nigeriens and other partners to interpret this as a "dictatorial imposition." He also stressed that the Armed Forces had no intention of remaining in power. He asked the ChargC) to reassure the USG that the CSRD would respect democratic practices and added that, "We respect the principles that govern your government." He noted that the Armed Forces remained "equidistant" with respect to NIAMEY 00000129 003 OF 003 Niger's political parties, and pointed out that the CSRD had appointed a consensus prime minister and would ensure the formation of a cabinet based on competence and integrity, and not on party affiliation, to allow the organization of free and fair elections, for which he said the CSRD would seek USG assistance. General Salou Addresses Food Security Situation -------------- -------------- ¶9. (C/NF) Colonel Gros stated that "food insecurity knocks at our door." He said that the CSRD recognizes this fact, unlike the former government. Colonel Gros requested the assistance of the USG in addressing the food security situation, and added that "we need to eat before thinking about elections." He also said that the USG's concerns about the food security situation were "logical," and that the CSRD requests USG support to address it. When told that the World Food Program (WFP) Executive Session in Rome (ref B) had noted the food shortage in Niger and that the Government of Niger had not issued an appeal in this regard. Colonel Gros said that the former government was reluctant to inform international bodies of the realities of the coming food crisis, and said that the CSRD would draft a letter to request international support to address the situation. Colonel Gros mentioned that the new CSRD President's Director of Cabinet was dual-hatted, coordinating all issues relating to food security in addition to his staff role. He reminded that, "We are keenly aware that if there is no food, elections may be compromised. Therefore, we make food our first priority." Comment: -------------- ¶10. (C/NF) General Salou made several revealing remarks in a discussion that was earnest and productive. He stated that the Nigerien Armed Forces remained vigilant regarding the internal and international security situation, including referencing al-Qaida specifically. He recognized that U.S.-Niger relations had suffered during the past year and expressed the CSRD's hopes of restoring democracy in the near term, leading to a renewal of bilateral cooperation. Expressing hopes that the United States would understand the circumstances that led to the forcible seizure of power, he clearly sought to explain the CSRD's democratic intentions. End comment. Biodata on BG Salou and Colonel Gros -------------- - ¶11. (C/NF) BG Salou has been the Chief of Staff of the Nigerien Air Force since at least 2003. He is a graduate of the US Air Force's Command and Staff College and is assessed by the DATT as extremely pro-U.S. For additional details, please see ref C. Col Gros, prior to assuming his role as the advisor to the President of the CSRD, was the military advisor to the Nigerien Prime Minister. Also assessed to be pro-U.S., at least one of his children was educated in the United States and he reports to have served as the Defense AttachC) to the U.S. for a short period in 1987. ¶12. (S/NF) The information provided by BG Salou and Col Gros largely corresponds with that provided by Cols Hassan Mossi and Abdoul Karim Goukoye in conversations that took place with the DATT on 21 February 2010 and reported in ref D. WHITAKER