Cablegate: State of Alert for Agadez Region Extended

VZCZCXRO2475
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHNM #0624 2391317
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 271317Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5278
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEHLMC/MCC WASHDC

UNCLAS NIAMEY 000624

DEPT FOR AF/W AND AF/RSA; PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W
ACCRA ALSO FOR USAID/WA
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ASEC CASC PHUM SOCI PTER KDEM NG
SUBJECT: STATE OF ALERT FOR AGADEZ REGION EXTENDED

Ref: a) Niamey 373 b) Niamey 350 c) Niamey 333
d) Niamey 108

1. On August 26, President Mamadou Tandja signed an executive order
extending the "State of Alert" in Agadez region for an additional
90-day period. This travel limitation and security measure has been
in place since August 2007 (Refs A and D).

2. The decision comes at a time of ongoing peace talks with Tuareg
groups, wherein lifting of the state of alert is a principal
objective of the country's northerners (Refs B and C). It appears
the demobilization that was to have been completed by June 30 has
stalled for lack of funds and as a result of the political crisis
that arose after Tandja's announced constitutional referendum that
somewhat eclipsed the peace process.

3. There have been no reports of hostilities in the region since
mid-2008. While humanitarian access has improved, the state of
alert will continue to restrict free movement to and in northern
Niger, preventing a potential revival of tourism there.
ALLEN

© Scoop Media