VZCZCXRO6461
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHNM #0609 2311650
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 191650Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5268
INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 1645
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RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEHLMC/MCC WASHDC UNCLAS NIAMEY 000609 
 
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SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS:          
SUBJECT:  Niger:  President Tandja Re-appoints Cabinet, Sets 
National Assembly Election for October 20 
 
Ref:  a) Niamey 599, b) Niamey 479, c) Niamey 378, d) Niamey 357, e) 
08 Niamey 960 
 
 1. On August 19, President Tandja re-named the same 31 members to 
his new Cabinet following their August 18 resignations made in 
response to his promulgation of the new constitution (ref A).  In 
his announcement, President Tandja re-appointed Prime Minister Seini 
Oumarou, Minister of State for the Interior, State Security, and 
Decentralization Albade Abouba, and the 29 line ministers. 
 
 2. On August 18, PM Oumarou presented the letter of resignation of 
his cabinet "in compliance with the formality required by the 
promulgation of a new constitution."  Under the new constitution, 
"The President of the Republic is the exclusive holder of executive 
powers...He appoints the Prime Minister and the cabinet, and 
determines their functions...The Prime Minister and cabinet members 
report to him." 
 
 3. During the announcement, President Tandja also announced that the 
National Assembly election would be held on October 20 to replace 
the legislative body he dismissed on May 26 (ref C).  In response, 
opposition political party representatives have threatened to 
reconstitute the previous National Assembly on the 90th day 
following its dismissal, as both the 1999 and the August 4 
constitutions call for elections to replace dismissed National 
Assemblies within a 45 - 90 day window following their dissolution. 
 
 4. Comment:  This represents the fourth action taken by President 
Tandja with respect to the Government of Niger's cabinet during the 
past year.  On June 29, President Tandja replaced the eight Social 
Democratic Convention (CDS) ministers who resigned on June 25 (ref 
B). On May 14, President Tandja shuffled three ministerial chairs 
and appointed a new Minister of Justice (ref D); in January 2009, he 
named a new Minister of Environment and the Fight against 
Desertification; and in September 2008 he appointed a new Minister 
of Transport and Civil Aviation (ref E).  End comment. 
 
ALLEN