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DE RUEHNM #0234/01 0961614
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P 061614Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4946
INFO RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY
RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS 3501
RUEHBZ/AMEMBASSY BRAZZAVILLE
RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 0063
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0807
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NIAMEY 000234 
 
DEPT FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, AND DRL/EA 
PARIS FOR AF WATCHER 
PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KDEN SOCI PHUM PINR NG
SUBJECT:  VISIT OF PRESIDENT SARKOZY; PRESIDENT TANDJA'S REMARKS 
KEEP POLITICAL SUCCESSION A CONTROVERSY 
 
Ref:  a) Niamey 00214, b) 08 Niamey 01176, d) 08 Niamey 01179, d) 08 
Niamey 01111 
 
NIAMEY 00000234  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. On March 27, French President Sarkozy paid a four-hour visit to 
Niger, where he met with President Tandja to strengthen the 
"strategic partnership."  Sarkozy also met with the National Council 
for Political Dialogue (CNDP), the country's political elite, with 
whom he discussed governance issues and praised Niger's political 
stability over the past ten years.  He then met with local 
representatives of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative 
(EITI), who have criticized French firm Areva's activities in 
uranium mining as having a negative impact on the environment and 
the health and rights of communities living in its operating zone 
(Note:  EITI issues covered in septel.  End note.)  Sarkozy 
underscored the mutual benefits of the long-term contract between 
Areva and Niger, referring to it as a win-win venture.  The two 
heads of state held a joint press conference to conclude the visit. 
 
 
Pres. Tandja:  No to Third Mandate, Maybe to Extension 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
 
¶2. During the press conference, President Tandja declared that he 
would step down at the end of his mandate, unless "the people" ask 
him to stay.  When asked whether he would seek to amend the 
constitution and seek a third term, Tandja said, "I feel comfortable 
to address this issue today...I highly respect our constitution.  I 
led a military career, and learned my country's laws and regulations 
as a soldier.  Then [as a politician] I learned about the 
constitution.  I loved democracy...I became president and served two 
terms, now coming to an end.  An elevated act for me is to step down 
with my head high...I am not seeking another mandate...Not for a 
single moment did I ask any Nigerien for a way to do this or that. 
I will never ask Nigeriens to have me change anything or to seek 
amendments to our constitution... [However] regions expressed an 
opinion requesting a three year's [extension] for the President to 
complete the development projects that he had started, for purposes 
of stability...This matter concerns the people and the National 
Assembly."  Then Tandja concluded, "It is up to [the people and the 
National Assembly] to decide.  As for me, I am ready to leave at the 
end of my mandate, next December 22.  I will retire." 
 
Missions, Stability, and Completing Work Underway 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶3. In an interview in Hausa on international media, President Tandja 
explained that he had been an army officer, and in military culture, 
an officer never failed to accomplish a mission.  On March 28, in an 
editorial on national television, Iboune Gueye, the head of the 
government communication unit said, "Tandja will not violate the 
constitution."  He cited President Sarkozy, who said that, "Since 
Niger's independence, about 50 years ago, there were five Republics, 
several coups, and one assassinated president.  The only period of 
democracy and stability was during President Tandja's two terms, and 
this is a fact that nobody denies."  Gueye added, "However, the 
people will decide" whether it would like to see the president 
continue the good work for Niger's people's welfare.  The Minister 
of Communication and Government Spokesman Mohamed Ben Omar also 
indicated on international media that the president should be given 
a chance to complete the projects that he had started. 
 
Civil Society Answers Back in Opposition to Extension 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
4.Civil society quickly responded, stating that any ove to extend 
the presidential mandate beyond the two terms provided by the 
constitution would be illegal and would be opposed.  Civil society 
representatives further thought that President Tandja should not 
equate the few supporters of "tazartche" (Hausa for "let it 
continue") with the Nigerien people as a whole. 
 
¶5. Former state prosecutor and former Minister of Justice Soli 
Abdourahamane said, "The constitution has established the rules of 
the game, independently from any construction project."  Issa 
Moussa, a political analyst, said, "You can never finish a country's 
work.  You can only contribute to it... Statesmen come and go, the 
country is always there." Opposition Member of Parliament Kalla 
Ankouraou noted that the constitution clearly states that some of 
 
NIAMEY 00000234  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
its provisions - including the president's term of office - cannot 
be amended.  Issoufou Tamboura, Information Secretary for the MNSD 
ruling party, however, thought that the people should pressure the 
National Assembly to find a solution that would allow President 
Tandja to "continue his good work." 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶6. President Tandja, through his recent meetings with the UN envoy 
and political parties, and the establishment of the CENI, has given 
a strong signal that the government will organize elections in 2009. 
 Some analysts, however, regard his ambiguous remarks as perhaps 
reflecting an ulterior motive, and that his March 27 remarks may 
fall along the lines of those made on March 14 during the visit of 
Libyan President and AU Chairman Qadahfy. 
¶7. Minimize considered. 
WHITAKER