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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0315
INFO RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0004
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RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC

S E C R E T ABUJA 000181 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/02/18 
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR PINS PINR NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIAN ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF: WE BELIEVE IN DEMOCRACY 
 
REF: ABUJA 131 AND PREVIOUS 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: James P. McAnulty, Political Counselor, STATE, POL; 
REASON: 1.4(A), (B), (C), (D) 
 
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SUMMARY 
 
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¶1. (C) Nigeria's Chief of Army Staff (COAS), LTG Dambazau, told A/S 
Carson February 8 that the GON military believes there is no 
alternative to democracy.  "We are a young nation and will improve 
if we give ourselves the opportunity."  He termed the violence in 
the North a "new phenomenon," and said politicians were the cause, 
not religion.  The Army Chief was surprised that the Government of 
Nigeria (GON) did not react to Al Qaeda's statement of support, 
cautioning that the GON may need to take the problem more seriously 
as "no country can run away from" terrorism."  General Idris, who 
accompanied the COAS, called for increased collaboration between 
U.S. civilian and Nigerian military security agencies.  The Army 
Chief plays a significant role in ensuring the military remains in 
the barracks during this sensitive time in Nigeria.  End Summary. 
 
 
 
¶2. (C) On February 8, Assistant Secretary of State for African 
Affairs, Ambassador Johnnie Carson, accompanied by Ambassador and 
POL Deputy (note taker), met with Nigerian Army Chief of Staff 
Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau and Brigadier General 
Muhammad Inuwa Idris to discuss the current political situation in 
Nigeria. 
 
 
 
¶3. (C) Nigeria's Army Chief, who requested the meeting with A/S 
Carson, said that he wanted to give the USG insight into the role 
the Nigerian military was playing in the current political 
situation.  Dambazau said he understood what is in the best 
interest of Nigeria and the African region, explaining that "from 
the outside, it appears a clear issue, but within Nigeria, nothing 
is clear other than the geography."  He highlighted, however, "a 
lot of us do not entertain the fear of breaking up." 
 
 
 
¶4. (C) The Army Chief expressed his appreciation for U.S. 
assistance to strengthen GON peacekeeping training capability and 
noted the GON wants to maintain its reputation of participating in 
peace keeping operations (PKO) outside of Africa.  Dambazau 
explained how he had expanded a small PKO wing into the academy 
that has already trained two battalions. 
 
 
 
¶5. (C) With regard to the current situation in Nigeria (on February 
9, Vice President Jonathan became Acting President), Dambazau 
declared that "we (the military) believe there is no alternative to 
democracy."  He added that "when focus is diverted, what it takes 
to be professional is neglected."  He commented that "with 
democracy, the country can focus attention on training and the 
welfare of military personnel, and we are called to account for our 
resources which allows us to develop and 'do what's right,' for 
civil society and fundamental human rights." 
 
 
 
¶6. (C) Dambazau explained that "we have a peculiar way of playing 
the game, we politicians," noting that the bulk of Nigeria's 
population is rural with low literacy that politicians "easily 
manipulate."  Dambazau continued, "This is why you find us in a 
'religious' crisis."  During electoral campaigns, politicians "make 
promises, including providing roads and water, yet politicians use 
religious and tribal affiliation that goes all the way down to 
basic levels such as ethnic, tribes, clans, families, and 
individuals."  He offered that there is a lack of awareness and -- 
unlike in the U.S. -- voters do not question or understand 
candidates and believe promises.  "That is, in essence, why we 
experience problems."  He continued, "We are a young nation, only 
50 years old.  I believe we'll improve, only if we give ourselves 
the opportunity.  What is going on should be handled politically." 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
"RELIGIOUS VIOLENCE" IS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED 
 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
 
 
¶7. (C) Dambazau related that he grew up in Kano as one of two 
Muslim children who attended a Catholic school at the insistence of 
his father "who believed in education at the same time holding onto 
his religion."  He termed violence connected to religion in the 
North as a "new phenomenon," noting that, "it is not ingrained into 
very senior members of that part of the country."  There is a 
problem with unemployment and lack of education.  He said that in 
Jos, which experienced violence in mid January (reftels), one would 
be surprised that the day after riots, people of different faiths 
converge in the market as if nothing had happened. 
 
 
 
¶8. (C) Dambazau stated, "The bottom line is that we firmly believe 
in democracy; that's what will pull us through.  We are a rich 
country with untapped resources, both mineral and human.  We need 
to become more effective and more advanced, but we will be unable 
to do so without the support of the U.S." 
 
 
 
¶9. (C) The Army Chief replied affirmatively when asked whether this 
message had been communicated to Vice President Jonathan.  Dambazau 
added, "Understandably, there has been a lot of noise because, in 
the past, the military was expected to intervene.  But we stand 
firm, the military has a role to play and it is clearly spelled out 
in the constitution."  Dambazau remarked that he had impressed upon 
subordinate officers the importance of understanding this notion, 
and that he emphasized it each week.  He continued, "We believe in 
stability and have seen how crises have ravaged people in other 
countries.  We don't envision the UN sending peacekeepers here." 
He said he assumed that the Vice President receives regular 
briefings from Nigeria's security agencies, and daily from the 
National Security Advisor (NSA).  Dambazau provides daily input for 
consideration to be included into the NSA's report. 
 
 
 
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FIGHTING TERRORISM IN NIGERIA 
 
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¶10. (C) Dambazau said he, like us, was surprised the GON did not 
officially react to the recent statements by Bin Laden and by the 
statement from Al Qaeda in Maghreb (AQIM) which underscored its 
support for Nigerian Muslims.  The COAS cautioned that some 
Nigerian leaders may not take the problem seriously enough, and 
should.  He opined that these terrorist organizations were "taking 
advantage and trying to expand their influence" in Nigeria. 
Dambazau recounted his presence at a recent meeting where the GON 
decided to enhance airport security, including training of air 
marshals, and that no one would be exempt from inspection.  The 
Army Chief also noted he had the intention to convert the 72nd para 
battalion into a "special forces and counter-terrorism unit," 
adding that "no country can run away from this problem."  Dambazau 
encouraged us to increase our communication with traditional 
leaders, particularly throughout the North, "because if someone 
comes to train their people, they will know." 
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
CALL FOR INCREASED COLLABORATION ACROSS AGENCIES 
 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
¶11. (S) Brigadier Idris shared that during the previous Obasanjo 
administration, there was cooperation between the USG and GON at 
the military level.  However, a decision was made by the GON to 
have intelligence sharing conducted only through the State Security 
Service (SSS) civilian agency.  He said this has lead to 
"difficulties," explaining "the military understands, and is better 
trained to act on, intelligence, but legally the SSS is the GON 
entity authorized to work with" U.S. security and law enforcement 
agencies.  Idris requested that the law enforcement relationship be 
extended to military (police, intelligence) officers whom, he 
claimed, "understand intelligence better than SSS, noting that many 
SSS officials have political agendas."  Idriss stated that internal 
rivalries keep the GON's SSS and military intelligence services 
from cooperating effectively and in a timely manner.  He cited as 
an example that in "joint monitoring operations with the SSS, the 
military cannot come in."  He said that under former National 
Security Advisory General Aliyu, who previously served as chief of 
military intelligence, the "gap was crossed, but now it has not 
been maintained." 
 
 
 
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COMMENT 
 
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¶12. (C) Dambazau, a graduate of Kent State University in Ohio 
(Master of Arts degree, 1980 to 1984), plays a significant role in 
ensuring that the military remains in the barracks during political 
turmoil.  His support for following a constitutional succession -- 
a practice he has promoted both publicly and privately -- will be 
key to maintaining political stability in Nigeria.  END COMMENT. 
 
 
 
¶13.  (U)  Assistant Secretary Carson departed Abuja before having 
the opportunity to clear on this telegram. 
SANDERS