VZCZCXRO4858
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA RUEHTRO
DE RUEHNM #0382 1481229
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 281229Z MAY 09 ZDS
FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5066
INFO RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUCNTSC/TSCTP COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC UNCLAS NIAMEY 000382 
 
C O R R E C T I V E C O P Y - PASS ADDRESS ADDED 
 
DEPT FOR AF/W AND AF/RSA 
DEPT PASS TO TSCTP COLLECTIVE 
PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W 
ACCRA ALSO FOR USAID/WA 
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS:            
SUBJECT:  Update on Hadizatou Mani, Woman of Courage Award Recipient 
 
Ref:  a) 08 Niamey 01062, b) Niamey 00273, c) Niamey 00406, d) 
Niamey 00424 
 
HADIZATOU MANI HAS REGAINED HER STRENGTH 
---------------------------------------- 
 
 1. (SBU) On May 10, PolOff and LES Pol Specialist traveled to Birni 
N'Konni to deliver the State Department's Woman of Courage prize to 
Mani Hadizatou (Ref A).  Timidria, the local NGO that helped Mani 
file her successful lawsuit against the Government of Niger for 
failing to assist her under conditions of slavery, provided its 
President, Weila Ilguilas, to accompany Embassy personnel to her 
village.  According to Timidria representatives, in preceding weeks 
Hadizatou had been in poor health and confined to bed.  Upon 
visiting her, Embassy personnel confirmed that she was sick, but 
noticed an apparent improvement in her health.  (Note:  we have no 
further information regarding her specific health condition, the 
nature of medications she is taking, or whether she is under ongoing 
medical care.  A visiting team of Spanish officials, including a 
physician, did visit her recently in her home.  End note.)  Mani 
admitted that she was now taking Western medication in conjunction 
with traditional remedies.  She also indicated her plans to travel 
to Niamey more often, especially given her contacts in the capital. 
Embassy personnel presented Hadizatou with the Woman of Courage 
Award, which was not ready at the time of her trip to the Department 
of State for the award ceremony last March. 
 
GOVERNMENT OF NIGER DEPOSITS 10 MILLION FRANCS 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
 2. (SBU) Embassy personnel asked Hadizatou several questions, 
including the status of her children; she stated that her children 
were still with her former "husband."  In addition, she confirmed 
that she had received the 10 million francs CFA (USD 20,000; 
Exchange rate 500 FCFA = 1USD) in damages from the Government of 
Niger (Refs A and B).  Hadizatou also stated that she had used some 
of the funds to invest in her new house, which is by far the nicest 
house in the village.  Embassy personnel asked whether she had 
received the USD 1,000 cash prize awarded by an American NGO; 
although she was aware that an award had been made, she was not 
aware if money had been deposited in her bank account.  Embassy 
personnel urged her to check her account in Tahoua and verify that 
the funds had been deposited. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
 3. (SBU) Hadizatou Mani was truly grateful for the award that she 
received from the State Department.  She stated that she would like 
to meet with Ambassador Allen again when she travels to Niamey.  The 
Embassy will follow up to ensure that she indeed received the $1,000 
prize.  End comment. 
 
 4. (U) Minimize considered. 
 
ALLEN