VZCZCXRO2346
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHNM #0557 2130723
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 010723Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5224
INFO RHMFISS/CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY
RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS 3518
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0855
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS NIAMEY 000557 
 
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 PREL SOCI KCRP PHUM NG
SUBJECT:  Niger:  Court Issues International Arrest Warrant for 
Former PM Hama Amadou 
 
Ref: a) Niamey 302  b) 08 Niamey 632  c) 08 Niamey 607 
 
¶1. On July 29, Niamey media reported that the Tribunal of Niamey had 
issued an international warrant for the arrest of former prime 
minister Hama Amadou on charges of "illicit enrichment" and money 
laundering in the amount of US$30 million (15 billion CFA), 
including US$1 million (500 million CFA) in shares of a 
telecommunications company in the name of his son. (Note: Current 
exchange rate is 1 USD = 465 CFA.  End note. ) On July 30, Minister 
of Communication and Government Spokesperson Mohamed Ben Omar 
confirmed that the Government of Niger (GON), through the Minister 
of Justice, had issued a warrant for Amadou's arrest via Interpol. 
He stated that the GON had requested an investigation over 15,000 
shares that Hama was reported to own in a regional bank. 
 
¶2. Reportedly, the Gendarmerie has examined several local 
businessmen suspected of being linked to the case.  Amadou, who is 
now under provisional release following a High Court decision (ref 
a), is now outside Niger, although he had been imprisoned from June 
26, 2008 through April 2009 in a facility outside of Niamey on 
charges of corruption.  He recently created a new political party 
opposing that of President Tandja. 
 
¶3. Comment:  Hama Amadou's supporters continue to believe that the 
warrant for arrest is yet another illustration of political hounding 
of the former prime minister.  Some believe the administration fears 
Amadou may mount a campaign for Niger's presidency from abroad. 
They perceive the GON's legal action hitting two birds with one 
stone - attempting to "contain" Amadou while nominally pursuing a 
criminal case against him for corruption.  End comment. 
 
¶4.  Minimize considered. 
 
ALLEN