Cablegate: Niger: Government of Niger Position in Inter-Nigerien

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RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHNM #0029 0140954
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 140954Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5570
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE

UNCLAS NIAMEY 000029

DEPT FOR AF/W AND AF/RSA
USAID FOR AFR/W
ACCRA ALSO FOR USAID/WA
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI PHUM NG
SUBJECT: Niger: Government of Niger Position in Inter-Nigerien
Political Dialogue

Ref: a) 09 Niamey 1005, b) 09 Niamey 1025

1. As the Inter-Nigerien Political Dialogue (ref A) resumed on
January 12 in Niamey, private newspaper "L'Enqueteur" printed a
statement from the Popular Movement for the Restoration of the
Republic (MPRR), a pro-Government of Niger (GON) political party and
civil society network, offering the MPRR's position going into the
talks, as provided to ECOWAS Mediator retired general and former
Nigerian head of State Abdusalami Abubakar. The GON position is as
follows:

(Begin text)

The Popular Movement for the Restoration of the republic makes the
following proposals:

-- Participation of the Opposition in the administration of the
State;

--Modification of key texts: the Electoral Code; the Charter of
Political Parties; the Status of the Opposition, and the National
Council for Political Dialogue;

-- Calendar for Elections: Departmental and Regional to be
conducted in 2010. Setting up the High Commission for Territorial
Collectivities (HCCT), the Economic, Social, and Cultural Commission
(CESOC); and the Senate in 2010. Presidential elections in 2012.
Legislative elections in 2014. Municipal elections in 2015.

(End text)

2. Comment: The MPRR's proposals vary dramatically from that of the
political Opposition, which are discussed in ref B. While the
second MPRR proposal would probably be acceptable to the Opposition,
the third would likely be rejected outright, as it would further
entrench what it sees as an illegal 6th republic. On the other
hand, the first proposal, inclusion of the Opposition in
administration of the State, offers some possibilities, although so
far the Opposition has not shown interest in gaining seats in the
Cabinet, National Assembly, Senate, or Commissions. Regrettably,
there are no indications so far that the resumed dialogue will bear
any fruit.

ALLEN

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