VZCZCXRO8294
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHNM #0333 1270651
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 070651Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5014
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE UNCLAS NIAMEY 000333 
 
DEPT FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, AND DRL/AE 
PLS PASS TO TSCTP COLLECTIVE 
PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W 
ACCRA ALSO FOR USAID AF/WA 
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS:            
SUBJECT:  President Tandja Meets with Rebel Leaders, Ceasefire to 
Continue, Arms to be Laid Down, Amnesty Discussed 
 
Ref:  a) Niamey 00235 , b) Niamey 00109, c) Niamey 00090, d) 08 
Niamey 01116 
 
 1. (SBU) Summary:  President Tandja met May 3-4 with rebel leaders 
in Agadez, marking their first dialogue since conflict commenced in 
February 2007.  Following April 6-7 peace talks between a GON 
delegation and three rebel groups in Sirte, President Tandja 
addressed their bid for amnesty and reintegration.  This reflects a 
change in GON tactics, wherein President Tandja had steadfastly 
refused to "negotiate" with what he termed to be "bandits."  The GON 
believes the next phase will involve a reconciliation conference to 
be held in Niger's north in the near future.  End summary. 
 
President Tandja Reaches Out to Rebel Leaders 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
 2. (SBU) On May 3, President Tandja met with representatives of 
three rebel factions in the northern regional capital of Agadez, on 
the heels of April 6-7 peace talks in Sirte, Libya (Ref A).  During 
the meeting, Tandja promised amnesty to those rebels who put down 
their weapons.  Afterwards, he invited them to the launching of a 
uranium mine in nearby Imouraren.  The rights to this uranium mine 
were granted to Areva, the French mining parastatal. 
 
High Commissioner Reports on Progress of Peace Talks 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
 3. (SBU) On April 23, DCM, Pol Officer, and LES Pol Specialist  met 
with Mohamed Anacko, High Commissioner for the Restoration of Peace 
to obtain insights regarding the April 6-7 peace talks in Sirte, 
Libya.  Anacko said that the peace talks, preceded by bilateral in 
Tripoli on cooperation in dealing with border security and migration 
issues, were productive, in that all three rebel Tuareg groups 
participated in open discussion on unresolved issues.  These 
included rebel amnesty, reintegration into society and the military, 
increased revenue sharing from the exploitation of natural resources 
from the north, concerns about environmental damage and health 
effects from uranium mining, and the lifting of the state of alert 
for Agadez region. 
 
 4. (SBU) Anacko said the 15-member GON delegation included the 
Minister of Interior, the Governor of Agadez, military leaders, 
civil society representatives, traditional and religious leaders, 
and himself.  He emphasized that the newly-assembled group did not 
have pre-set talking points, and had gone to Sirte to kick-start 
peace talks with rebels.  The Front Patriotique Nigerien (FPN), a 
dissident group of the Mouvement des Nigeriens pour la Justice 
(MNJ), and the Front de Force de Redressement (FFR) participated, as 
did Libyan President Qadhafy; Anacko underscored that all major 
stakeholders were represented, which the GON took as a sign of good 
will and an important basis for subsequent discussions.  Anacko said 
that the GON hoped the next step would be a reconciliation forum to 
be held in Arlit, also in Niger's north, in the near future.  He 
reflected on the February 2009 Peace and Security Forum in Niamey 
(Refs B and C) as setting the stage for talks, and again thanked the 
USG for supporting the October 2008 ESF-funded, USIP-facilitated 
conflict management workshop (Ref D).  Anacko encouraged the USG to 
remain involved in the peace process, and to consider funding the 
reconciliation forum. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
 5. (SBU) Although the Agadez and Sirte peace talks brought together 
conflict stakeholders, which has so far resulted in a continuation 
of the de facto ceasefire and pledge to lay down arms, it has not 
yet led to a written agreement.  President Tandja's personal 
involvement is noteworthy; since the conflict started in February 
2007 he has refused to "negotiate" with rebels at the point of a 
gun.  With the de facto ceasefire to continue, and arms to be laid 
down, the door is finally open to dialogue and more constructive 
measures.  End comment. 
 
 6. (U) Minimize considered. 
 
Allen