Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10NIAMEY23
2010-01-11 19:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Niamey
Cable title:
Niger: Four Political Prisoners Released
how-toVZCZCXRO5109 RR RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHNM #0023 0111959 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 111959Z JAN 10 FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5563 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RUEHLMC/MCC WASHDC
UNCLAS NIAMEY 000023
DEPT FOR AF/W AND AF/RSA; PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W
ACCRA FOR USAID/WA
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM SOCI NG
SUBJECT: Niger: Four Political Prisoners Released
Ref: A)09 Niamey 1005 B)09 Niamey 646 C)09 Niamey 640
UNCLAS NIAMEY 000023
DEPT FOR AF/W AND AF/RSA; PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W
ACCRA FOR USAID/WA
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM SOCI NG
SUBJECT: Niger: Four Political Prisoners Released
Ref: A)09 Niamey 1005 B)09 Niamey 646 C)09 Niamey 640
1. On January 5, two former parliamentarians and two administrative
staff members were granted provisional release from prison. Former
Parliamentarian and National Assembly (NA) Chief Treasurer Zanaidou
Gado Sabo, former Parliamentarian and NA Deputy Treasurer Ibrahim
Abalele, former NA Speaker's Cabinet Director Abdoul-Hayou Moumouni,
and the former NA's Financial and Accounting Director were arrested
and detained in September 2009 along with 35 other
ex-parliamentarians on alleged corruption charges that the
Opposition slammed as a witch hunt. (refs B and C).
2. Former Member of Parliament Gado Sabo was elected for a National
Assembly seat during the October 20, 2009 legislative elections
while in prison. (Note: Following the December 8, 2009 European
Union (EU)- Government of Niger (GON)consultations, and in light of
the Inter-Nigerien Political Dialogue (INPD) aim to resolve the
country's political crisis (ref A),the GON made a commitment to
waive all lawsuits against political opponents End note.)
ALLEN
DEPT FOR AF/W AND AF/RSA; PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W
ACCRA FOR USAID/WA
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM SOCI NG
SUBJECT: Niger: Four Political Prisoners Released
Ref: A)09 Niamey 1005 B)09 Niamey 646 C)09 Niamey 640
1. On January 5, two former parliamentarians and two administrative
staff members were granted provisional release from prison. Former
Parliamentarian and National Assembly (NA) Chief Treasurer Zanaidou
Gado Sabo, former Parliamentarian and NA Deputy Treasurer Ibrahim
Abalele, former NA Speaker's Cabinet Director Abdoul-Hayou Moumouni,
and the former NA's Financial and Accounting Director were arrested
and detained in September 2009 along with 35 other
ex-parliamentarians on alleged corruption charges that the
Opposition slammed as a witch hunt. (refs B and C).
2. Former Member of Parliament Gado Sabo was elected for a National
Assembly seat during the October 20, 2009 legislative elections
while in prison. (Note: Following the December 8, 2009 European
Union (EU)- Government of Niger (GON)consultations, and in light of
the Inter-Nigerien Political Dialogue (INPD) aim to resolve the
country's political crisis (ref A),the GON made a commitment to
waive all lawsuits against political opponents End note.)
ALLEN