Cablegate: Traditional Muslim Leader Salutes Peace Corps, Us Policy

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RR RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHGI RUEHJS RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHPW
RUEHROV
DE RUEHYD #1257 2950825
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 220825Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8243
INFO RUCNISL/ISLAMIC COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1662
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1937
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE

UNCLAS YAOUNDE 001257

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/C AND AF/PD
STATE PASS TO PEACE CORPS AND USAID
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA ACTION OFFICERS
EUCOM FOR J5-1 AND POLAD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KISL KPAO PREL EAID CM
SUBJECT: TRADITIONAL MUSLIM LEADER SALUTES PEACE CORPS, US POLICY

1. (U) Summary: The image of the USG among Muslims in the Mokolo
Division of Cameroon's Extreme North Province is largely positive,
thanks to the work of Peace Corps volunteers, US Embassy
outspokenness on democracy and anti-corruption, and small-grant
development efforts, according to Yacouba Mohamadou Mourtalla, the
Lamido (traditional leader) of Mokolo. Yacouba nonetheless
recommended that the USG reach out to members of the community to
initiate discussion on subjects like Islam in the United States and
controversial USG policies in order to dispel misperceptions of the
USG as an anti-Islamic crusader. End summary.

2. (U) Yacouba Mohamadou Mourtalla is the Lamido--a hereditary
leadership role similar to a chief--of Mokolo, a region with more
than 50,000 inhabitants along the border with Nigeria in Cameroon's
Extreme North Province. Responding to questions from Poloff in a
September 29 conversation in his Mokolo offices, Yacouba explained
that the image of the USG in his region is largely positive for
three reasons:

--Peace Corps volunteers in the region have had a meaningful
impact--especially in the health sector--on the population's quality
of life, and the volunteers' willingness to live among their host
populations instills trust and friendship within the community.

--US leadership in pushing the Government of Cameroon for progress
on reforms for democratization and anti-corruption is appreciated by
the community, which shares the USG's concerns about the imperative
for greater government accountability.

--US development programs--specifically a small grants program
funded by the US Department of Agriculture's Food for Progress
program--have had a meaningful impact in improving the standard of
living for many within the community who suffer most from the lack
of credit and financial facilities.

3. (U) Despite the strength of these positive examples, Yacouba
explained, there is still a need to dispel the perception that the
U.S. is anti-Islam. When Poloff described the richness and strength
of the American Muslim community, Yacouba suggested that the Embassy
seek to share this information with a broader audience in his
community and across the region.

4. (U) Comment: Yacouba's benevolent characterization of the USG
is evidence that good policies and programs, well-implemented, can
cultivate a positive relationship with communities that might
otherwise be susceptible to anti-American sentiment. As Yacouba
suggested, however, there is still more to be done to dispel false
impressions of the U.S. agenda and we plan to engage the region more
actively in the coming months.

Nelson

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