VZCZCXRO8346
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DE RUEHNM #0033/01 0141911
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R 141911Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY
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RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NIAMEY 000033 
 
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SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS:                    
SUBJECT:  Niger: Former High Commissioner for Restoration of Peace 
Provides Update on the North 
 
Ref: a) 09 Niamey 871, b) 09 Niamey 821, c) 09 Algiers 948 
 
 1. (SBU) Summary:  On January 14, current National Assembly Deputy 
and former High Commissioner for the Restoration of Peace (HCRP) 
Mohamed Anacko met with DCM at the Chancery; Poloff and LES Pol 
Specialist also participated.  The former Commissioner spoke about 
the successful culmination of the peace process in Niger's North, 
wherein all three rebel groups had reached peace agreements with the 
Government of Niger (GON) and disarmed.  In the void left by rebels, 
he argued that terrorists might seek refuge in Niger's Air 
Mountains.  DCM noted the importance of regional coordination and 
cooperation to counter the mobile and amorphous threat posed by 
terrorists.  Anacko also discussed the need for international 
assistance for humanitarian demining to provide increased safety and 
the lack of a rebel reintegration plan by the Government of Niger 
(GON).  He also opined that if no such plan is developed, peace in 
the North would be short-lived.  End summary. 
 
Peace has Returned to the North 
------------------------------- 
 2. (SBU) Anacko called on DCM at the Chancery on January 14 in a 
meeting that included PolOff and Pol Specialist; he stated that the 
last insurgent group to lay down their weapons, the Front of Forces 
for Rectification (FFR) was disarmed in late December in Arlit, a 
town located in the North.  Anacko stated that the GON had made 
considerable progress and that tourists are returning to the region, 
being able to travel to and within the urban parts of Agadez without 
problems.  He stated his belief that Nigeriens are no longer fearful 
of the rebel groups; they recognize that their members have indeed 
laid down their arms and do not wish to resort to violence.  Anacko 
said, however, that tourists are still worried about stability in 
the area, and are weary to travel to the region.  Bandits continue 
to engage in illicit activities in the North; however, he added, 
this cycle of banditry is normal given the long period of violence 
that occurred in the region.  (Note:  Anacko's description of 
circumstances in the North and the status of rebel peace talks and 
disarmament as of the fall of 2009 are discussed in refs A and b). 
End note.) 
 
Demining Experts Needed to Clear Vast Areas 
------------------------------------------- 
 3. (SBU) Anacko stated that throughout the vast lands in the north, 
rebels had left mines that still needed to be located and destroyed. 
 He mentioned that rebels were able to indicate the general 
perimeter of areas where mines were placed, but could not give exact 
locations.  Anacko mentioned that the GON had received assurances 
from the European Union and other development partners of receiving 
technical expertise to help demine these vast areas. 
 
Government Needs to Develop Action Plan 
--------------------------------------- 
 4. (SBU) Anacko stated that the GON needs to make a better effort to 
plan for the reintegration of former rebel members into society.  He 
stated that rebels needed a way to support their families.  When 
pressed for more specifics, he said that the Government should 
create training schools to teach former rebels technical skills. 
These skills could then be used to gain employment at one of the 
multinational enterprises operating in the North. 
 
Terrorist Elements in the North 
------------------------------- 
 5. (SBU) Anacko stated that although there was a formal disarmament 
agreement between President Tandja and rebels, that there are still 
areas for concern.  When pressed for details, Anacko mentioned that 
there will be a void left by the peace process.  He said that 
traffickers and even Al-Qaida may be tempted to occupy bases and 
hideouts that were used previously by rebels in the North.  He 
mentioned that this was a vulnerability for the GON, which might be 
hard-pressed to counter.  He said that the GON did not have the 
means to deal effectively with terrorist organizations and that the 
GON would welcome international support; he further underscored the 
need for better regional cooperation.  He went on to say terrorists 
may seek to hide in the Air Mountains as alternative to taking 
refuge in Mali. 
 
GON Urged to Engage in Tamanrassett, Regional Approach 
--------------------------------------------- 
 6. (SBU) DCM urged Anacko to support the participation of the GON in 
the Algerian-backed regional approach to countering terrorism (ref 
C), and to support the deferred heads of state meeting on the same 
 
NIAMEY 00000033  002 OF 002 
 
 
topic in Bamako.  Regional coordination and cooperation were 
essential, he noted, to deal with this mobile and amorphous threat. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 7. (SBU) Anacko noted the gap between the "political tensions" 
between the United States and Niger and the "economic and security 
realities."  He hinted that President Tandja would be "sensitive" to 
advice and/or funding from the USG in any areas.  Given that 
traffickers and even Al-Qaida might be tempted to recruit former 
rebels, development of technical schools that would train former 
rebels in vocational skills would be beneficial for both the GON and 
the USG.  End comment. 
 
Allen