Cablegate: Usau: African Union Pushing for Solution In

VZCZCXRO2669
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHDS #2912 3441422
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 101422Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7125
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEWMFD/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY
RUEPADJ/CJTF HOA PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 7995

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 002912

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/E, AF/RSA
NSC FOR MGAVIN
PARIS FOR WBAIN
LONDON FOR PLORD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV AU
SUBJECT: USAU: AFRICAN UNION PUSHING FOR SOLUTION IN
MADAGASCAR

REF: E-MAIL ON 12/09/09 FROM AMBASSADOR MARQUARDT

This message is from USAU Ambassador Michael Battle.

1. (SBU) In a December 10 meeting at AU headquarters,
Ambassador John Shinkayie, the Chief of Staff of the AU
Commission Chairperson, told USAU Ambassador Battle that the
African Union is establishing an office in Antananarivo to
help coordinate the transition period per the Maputo
Agreement. That office will be headed by former Mozambican
minister and Ambassador Francisco Madeira. Meanwhile, the
AU's Special Envoy who has been working on the Madagascar
portfolio, Ablasse Ouedraogo, will continue in his present
capacity when called upon to do so by the AU Chairperson.
These will be two distinct positions or missions, Shinkayie
said. AU officials are downplaying any tension between
Ouedraogo and others involved in mediating the Malagasy
crisis.

2. (U) Separately, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security
Ramtane Lamamra informed USAU that there will be an
International Contact Group meeting on Madagascar's situation
on December 17 in Antananarivo. Lamamra specifically asked
that Ambassador Phil Carter attend the meeting if his
schedule permits. The AU leadership is seeking to get the
different parties in Madagascar to implement their previous
agreements and move the country toward a return to
constitutional rule.
MUSHINGI

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