JPRS ID: 10554 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA REPORT

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• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00850R000500060067-7
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• Content Type: REPORTS

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JPRS L/ 10554
28 May 1982
~ Sub-Saharan Africa Re ort
p
FOUO No. 774
F~IS FOREI~~N BROADCAST INFORMATION SERVICE
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JPRS L/10554
28 May 1982
SUB-SANARAN AFRICA REPORT
FOUO No. 774
CONTENTS ~
CEN`rRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
P atasse's Role in Abortive Coup Described
(AFRIQUE-ASIE, Mar - 11 Apr 82) 1
Briefs
French Financing Agreements 3
CHAD
Acyl Ahmat: Chadians Alone Can Resolve Their Prob~ems
(AFRIQUE-ASIE, 29 Mar - 11 Apr 82) 4
Actions of OAU Permanent Committee Denounced
(Ginette Cot; AFRIQUE-ASIE, 29 Mar - 11 Apr 82) 6
Briefs
Closing of Chadian Refugee Camp 8
ETHIOPIA
Briefs
Cuban Trade Mission Activities . 9
GABON
M ining Inventory Agreement Signed With France
(MARCHES TROPICAUX ET I~i;ITERRANEEIVS, 26 Mar 82) 10
C anadian Interest in Providing Financial Aid
(MARCHES TROPICAUX ET MEDITERRANEENS, 26 Mar 82) 12
GUINEA
Briefs
Attempt to Assassinate President 13
,
- a - IIII - NE & A- 120 FOUO]
i.nr.~.-' r rnr. n~rs v
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PIIGER
Strengther~ing of Saudi Cooperation Lescribeci
(MARCHES TROFICAUX ET MEDITERR.ANEENS, 26 Mar 82) 14
Military Regime Can Boast of Good Results
(Siradiou Diallo; JEUNE AFRIQUE, 21 Apr 82) 16
Briefs Zl
Economic Impact of Market Fire
NIGERIA
Briefs 22
Inflation in 1981 22
Favorable Balance for France 22
_ Crude Oil Prices, Sales 23
Lokoja Hydr~electric Project 23
More on Ojukwu Pardon 23
Shagari Considers Ojukw~~ Pardon
SENEGAL
~ Senegal's Policy Toward Saharan Republic Rapped
(AFRIQUE-ASIE, 29 t~Iar - 11 Apr 82) 24
BCEAO Issues Econoinic, Monetary Statistics 25
(MARCHES TROPICAUX ET MEDITERRANEENS, 26 Mar 82)
Opposition Said To Be Largely Discredited
(David Sharp; JEUIdE AFRIQUE, 21 Apr 82) 27
UGANDA
Br ief s 30
U.S. Journalists Arrested, Lashed
ZAIRE
Amnesty International Official Lists Rights Violations
' (POURQUOI PAS?, 18 Mar 82) 31
'Manifesto' Blames Situation on Corrupt, Bourgeois Leaders 35
(Mariam Sysle; AFRIQUE-ASIE, 26 Apr - 9 May 82)
'Manifesto' Examines Rolc of Catholic Church 41
(AFR.IQUE-ASIE, 26 Apr - 9 May ~2)
Companies Handed Over to Private Owners 43
(MARCHES TROPICAUX ET MEDITERRANEEN.~. 19 Mar 82)
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CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
PATASSE'S ROLE IN ABORTIVE COUP DESCRIBED .
, Paris AFRIQUE-ASIE in French No 262, Mar-11 Apr 82 p 45
[Text] For months, particularly since the withdrawal of David Dacko and the
accession of Gen Andre Kolingba's government, Ange Patasse, Bokassa's former
minister and prime minister, who went over to the "resistance" at the last
minute, when the emperor's fall appearPd inevitable, hasn't stopped proclaim-
- ing, with might and main, that power in Central Af rica is r ightfully his.
The leader cF the MLPC (Central Af rican People's Liberation Movement) was
, basing his claim an the signif icant vota (38 percent) which he garnered during
the rigged election of March 1980, when Central Africa wds under the yoke
- of Giscard's French protectora.te.
_ As the days passed, Patasse's impatience grew and his ambitions became focused.
Recently, he confided to whoever would listen that he would reach his goal by
any means, including force. Given these circumstances, one can understand
_ ~hat the denials--after the fact--by his supporters, claiming that Patasse
was not involved in the abor~tive 3 March coup, and presenting the head of the
MLPC as the victim ef a plot, are hardly convincing and weren"t believed
by anyone. It seems evident that a scant few days after his return to Bangui--
a where he had "exiled" 11i.mself following Dacko's fall--Ange Patasse crossed
the Rubicol with the coc:peration of his supporters on the Military Committee
of National Recovery (f~r~ler generals Mbaikoua and Bozize, who were, respec-
tively, the ministers of justice and infarmation, and who are now on the run).
The manner in which the attempted coup was led would have appeared ludicrous
if it hadn't caused clashes, produced casualties (between 3 ana 12 dead,
according to official sources, and 30 wounded), and led to the arrest of
several dozen persons--and above all else if Central Africa didn't so desper-
ately need a minimum of stability to catch its breath after years of a de-
structive and fero:.ious dictatorship which led the country to ruin.
- However, the insolent fashion in which the coup attempt was led, and the
great presumptuousness shown by Bokassa's former prime minister, can only
_ add to the suspicions that Ange Patasse was encouraged or manipulated by
' hidden interests (certain business circules, remnants of the former Foccartian
organizations...) who are making every effort to attack the new French Govern-
ment by putting it in explosive and embarrassing situations in those African
regions that are under its sphere of influence.
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We know how much Ange Patasse has turther added to the confusion by taking
refuge in the French Embassy in Bangui (knowiag full well that it had to offer
l?im asyJ.um) and by improgzrly claiming the backing of Lionel Jospin, a French
Socialist Party leader. All this very nearly provoked a serious crisis Uetween
Paris and Eangui. But if it seems at this point that things have ~almed
- down--a compromise could be found concerning the fate of Patasse--it will be
more diffic~ilt to completely clear up the misunderstandings and doubts main-
- tained, if not created, by the media, which in this aff3ir, as in the one in
Chad at the end of last October, have too often been lacking in discretion,
at the least.
COPYRIGHT: 1982 .Afrique-Asie
9939
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~
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
BRIEFS
FRENCH FINANCIN~ AGREEMENTS--On 17 March in Bangui, France and the Central
African Kepublic signed three financing agreements totaling 780 billion CFA
francs concerning the infrastructure and agriculture sectors: work going on
since 1973 on the Nola-Berberati-Gamboula and Berberati-Carnot-~iaoro main
roads, that is, more than 400 kilometers of roads, maintenance of the Bangui-
Cameroon main road (Bossemebele-Garoua-Boulai sector); grants to agriculture
(financing of the 1982 agricultural campaign and sma11-scale developments in
rural areas). [Text] [Paris MARCHES TROPICAUX ET MEDITERRANEENS in French
No 1898, 26 Iiar 82 p 857] [COPYRIGHT: Rene Moreux et Cie Paris 1982] 9434
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CHAD
ACYT, AHMAT: CHADIANS ALONE CAN RESOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS
Paris AFRIQUE-ASIE in Fxench No 262, 29 Mar-11 Apr 82 pp 18, 19
[Text] While in Ndjamena efforts are being made to regroup and reorganize
the fighting forces in order to crush the rebellion of Hissein Habre, the
GUNT [Transitional Nation3l Union Government], which for too long a time in
the past has left the field wide open for propagandists of the FAN [Northern
Armed Forces], is making a concerted ~ffort to make its position known abroad.
It is in this context that several GUNT officials have appeared before the
Paris press--among them, during h~s briefing mission to French officials on
2 March, Chadian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Acyl Ahmat.
He reaffirmed the grounds for the rejection by his government of the resolu-
tions taken last February in Nairobi by a group of African states set up as
a"permanent committee" on Chad--resolutions which run counter to those
adopted by the last summit conference of the 50 African nations.
Responding to the question as to whether Ndjamena foresees another call for
Libyan troops or for those of another friendly co.untry to help the GUNT crush
the aggressicn of the FAN, the minister for foreign affairs conf irmed that
for the time being, his government intends to take its chances with the OAU.
Acyl Ahmat declared: "We'll give the OAU ti.me to get hold of itself and to
find, with the agreement of the GUNT, a solution to the Chadian problem";
he noted that by OAU he meant all the member nations, and not a club of
_ reactionary heads of state who do not honor the agreements of their peers
and who are driven by the wish to bring Habre back onto the Chadian political
stage.
Questioned as to whether he considered the decision to demand that Libyan
forces withdraw from Chad a"mistake," the GUNT minister for foreign affairs
- took the oppor.tunity to "put into perspective," with a good deal of humor,
the distorted image created of him in the past by Radio France International
and other Western media. "Time and again I was called a Libyan agent by
Radio France International, which made much too mu~.h fuss about me and caused
a good deal of trouble for the Chadian people. In some respects they de-
naturalized me, wanting to make me more of a Libyan than a Chadian.... Know-
� ing my country, knowing its internal contradictions, I am against the occupa-
tion of Chad by another power, no matter who it is. But I am very realistic.
Libya is a brother country which helped us at the most difficult moment, and
put out the fire that had been burning for 17 years.... In fact, I expressed
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h'OK OMN1t:lAl. U~~ UNI.X
opinion at the t ime that it wasn't opportune to demand the Libyan withdrawal
when we were not sure of the promises made by others and were not ready to
protect ourselves...."
Asked about France's position with regard to the GUNT and to the Chadian
problem in general, Acyl Ahmat, who met Jean Pierre Cot, French minister for
cooperation and development, and Guy Penne, presidential adviser for African
affairs, in Paris at the beginning of March, was anxious to put an end to
the criticism of Francoi~ Mitterrand's government in this affair.
"First of al~l, I must eliminate a source of confusion," emphasized Acyl
Ahmat. "I was with President Goukouni during his meeting with President
Francois riitterrand and French Minister for External Relations Claude Cheys-
' son. Certainly we will never know exactly what occurred behind the scenes,
bi~t in my opinion things were clear. Basically, Francois Mitterrand told t he
president of the GUNT: 'There is no question of France's asking the impossible
of you, demanding that you make the Libyans leave as long as you are not
certain of your own security.' That is what I heard from the mouth of Francois
Mitterrand. Therefore you shouldn't come and tell us that France's most
authoritative voice pressured Chadian off icials."
Concerning his meeting with the French minister for cooperation and develop-
ment at the beginning of March, Acyl Ahmat stated: "Our position is clear.
As for France, after the Socialist government came to power, it promised to
assist the legitimate government of Chad. Now, =f certain radio and press
agencies are.to be believed, France would have us reconciled with Hissein
Habre. Yesterday (4 March), I told Jean Pierre Cot: 'There is no way France
wil~ get us to sit down at the negotiating table with Hissein Habre. We are
in the midst of fighting, of stamping out the factional divisions that have
killed the country. We aren't doing this so that we'll be obliged to recreate
them or multiply them tomorrow.' The position o.f the GUNT therefore is
clear, and Jean Pierre Cot's response seemed to me to be constructive. In
my opin ion, France hasn't changed its position."
As for the type of aid promised by Paris, the Chadian minister for foreign
affairs limited himself to saying: "What I can tell you -is that France has
asserted, through its minister for cooperation, that it will continue to
assist Chad."
rinally, pressed by questions about the intrigues of foreign ii~~ervention in
Chad, Acyl Ahmat was led to answer: "The Chadian problem is above all a
national problem. The disorganization for which the GUNT has been reproached
J is certainly n.ot entirely for.eign to the current situation. But I believe
that Chadians have learned a lesson f rom this; they understand that their
problems cannot be dealt with except by their own will. Whether it's France,
the United States, or any other country, or even the OAU, no one can find
a solution *hat excludes the (;hadians. The problem is, above all, national.
[Je are very aware ef that, and tt?e consensus is that everything must be doue
to pull Chad completely out of the deadlock and out of the war."
COPYRIGHT: 1982 Afrique-Asie
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CHAD
ACTIONS OF OAU PERMANENT COMMITTEE DENOUNCED
Paris AFRIQUE-ASIE in French No 262, 29 :~far-11 Apr 82 pp 17-19
[Article by Ginette Cot: "After the Decree of Nairobi III"]
[Excerpts] Numerous voices have since been raised un
the African continent ~o denounce the actions of the �
so-call:ed "perr?anent committee:"
The affair is too scandalous and the "strong-arm ploy" too obvious for the
resolution-decree on Chad, pretentiously adopted in Nairobi on 11 February
by a small group of OAU representatives and African states, not to be quickly
and widely considered null and void, and to finally sink into oblivion. Since
then, numerous voices have been raised on the continent denouncing the actions
of this group--baptized without right or reason the OAU "permanent committee"
for Chad--whose conclusions run counter to the decisions reached by the last
general conference of African heads of state, which met last June in the
Kenyan capital.
But without a doubt the decisive elements in the situation are the reactions
and the spectacular mobilization registered in Chad even after the decree of
the OAU "permanent committee"--which ordered the GUNT [Transitional Natioi>_zl
Union GovernmentJ to conclude a cease-fire and to begin negotiations with
Iiissein Habre, arbitrarily established a calendar for organizing elections and
putting def initive institutions into place, and, finally, matched all this
with the threat of withdrawal of the pan-African force. This should bring
the pan-African organization to its senses and nip in the bud the "plot" of
those who use its name or act in its name, the better to betray its decisions.
Those who counted on possible defeatist reactions from a people crushed l~y
war and eager for peace wasted their time. Far from spreading the division
and dismay hoped for by their instigators, the Nairobi decisions were greeted .
� across the country as an insult and a challenge to the dignity, pride, and
sovereignty of an entire people. They resulted in a closing of the ranks of
the GUNT, a strengthening of its support, a stiffening of the population's
resolve to accept the challenge, and a revival of the courage anii will of the
combatant~, who had been thought to be worn out after a short year of un-
~ertain respite.
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That is the significance of the popular demonstrations of anger against the
OAU and of support for the GUNT which occurred for several days in Ndjamena
and the countryside, as well as of the more organized and determined military
offensive launched against the FAN [Northern Armed Forces] by the combatants
of all the former factions un ited in the GUNT.
Indirectly, the Nairobi decree served to reveal several characteristic aspects
of the Chadian situation that some people had preferred to ignore. They have
been able to see how much the possibility of Hissein Habre's return to the
political scene was feared by all Chadian peoptes. They have been able to
see that, far from being a"creation" of the OAU, as some experts claimed,
the GUNT, at its beginning the fruit of a compromise expressive of the parti-
cular relations of forces on the spot, was truly representative of a nat ional
consensus. Finally, and above all, they could see the extent to which the
hopes represented in the struggle led by the FROLINAT--even a FROLINAT long
divided into factions--had spread, to the point of becoming an irreversible
moral attainment.
True Friends
Also, the Chadian ~Iational Liberation Front, whose political reunif ication
has been a fact since last May, has appear.ed these past weelcs to be a force
to be reckoned with--ca~able, as has been seen in the latest trial undergone
by the GUNT, of turning Chadian politics in a more fundamental and progressive
direction.
In any case, it should be expected that lessons will be drawn from the events
occurring between the departure of the Libyan troops and the "treachery of
the OAU." As Pr.esident Goukouni Oueddei pointed out in a press conference
in Ndjamena: "All this has let us know who our truQ friends were and who
our enemies were."
For its part, in a motion read during a public meeting in the Chadian capital
on 16 February, FROLINAT condemned the resolutxons of the "permanent committee"
of the OAU and supported the GUNT, notably stressing: "We affirm the right and
duty of the Chadian people, and of them alone, to deal with their problems i.n
the way they see fit. We have no lessons in democracy to learn from regimes
installed by coups d'etat, nor from those created by rigged elections...."
In conclusion, the resolution added: "Recent political developments conf irm
our basic position, which is that the answer for the Chadian people lies in
the search for an anti-imperialist, anticapitalist road." .
As can be seen, we are f ar from the si.mple question of a power struggle or of
an i.mplacable hatred between two men, to which the Western medias have too
often wanted to reduce the Chadian conflict.
COPYP.IGHT: 1982 Afriqtie-Asie
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CHAD
. BRIEFS
CLOSING OF CHADIAN REFUGEE CAMP--Some days ago, Cameroonian police took steps
to ensure the final closing of the Chadian refugee camp in Kousseri opposite
Ndjamena on the left bank of the Chari River. The some 20,000 Chadian refu-
gees who were staying in the camp had a choice between returning to Ndjamena
or being transferred to the Poli region, about 400 kilometers inside Cameroon-
ian territory. Nearly 5,000 refugees accepted repatriation,~while 2,500 were
- moved by road to Poli. Other refugees succeeded in going to Nigeria where a
camp had been fixe~ up some months ago not far from the border, west of
Kousseri. The Kousseri camp sheltered, it is believed, numerous supporters
of Hissein Habre. This camp had been opened in 1980. Nearly 100,000 inhabi-
tants of the Chadian capital, fleeing the fighting, had then crossed the
Chari River by canoe to find refuge there. Since the cease-fire in Ndjamena,
some 80,000 refugees have returned to their country. But nearly 20,000 refu-
gees have obstinately ref used to do so. jText] jParis MARCHES TROPICAUX ET
MEDITERRANEENS in French No 1898, 26 Mar 82 p 857] [CCPYRIGHT: Rene Moreux
et Cie Paris 1982.] 9434
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ETHIOPIA
BRIEF S
CUBAN TRADE MISSION ACTIVITIES--Addis Ababa 13 May (PL)--The Ethiopian minister
of foreign traue, Wollie Chekol, received here a Cuban trade mission which held
conversations with 18 Ethiopian trade organizations. In the meeting, attended
by the Cuban ambassador in Addis Abeba, Buenaventura Reyes, they talked about
the results of the work of the Cuban trade mission, headed by Octavio Martinez
Hernandez, official of the department of Subsaharan Africa of the Cuban Minis-
- try of Foreign Trade. They also dealt with future concrete working lines and
trade prospects between Cuba and Ethiopia, and with the, possibility of an
Ethiopian trade mission visiting Cuba in the near future. The meeting between
the Ethiopian minister and the Cuban delegation took place shortly after the
signing of a memorandum on activities carried out by the Cuban mission which
has been in Addis Ababa since 12 April and will also visit Mozambique. [Text]
[PA131717 Havana PRELA in English 1239 GMT 13 May 82]
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GABON
MINING INVEN~ORY AGREEMENT SIGNED WITH FRANCE
Paris MARC~ZES TROPICAU~ ET MEDITERRANEENS in Franch No 1898, 26 Mar 82 p 858
[Text] The Gabonese second deputy prime minister in charge o~ mines and
petroleum, Etienne-Guy Mouvagha-Tchioba, and Robert Cantoni, French ambassador
to Libreville, signed an agreement on 10 March in Libreville concerning the
mining inventory along the Transgabonese Railroad.
This agreement, which inv!olves the amount of 110 million CFA ~rancs, is part
of a vast program of air surveying, airborne geophysical reconnaissance and
soil prospecting, spread out over some 10 years, at a total cost of 10 billion
CFA francs. Besides France, the program will have the assistance of the EDF
(European Development Fund).
- The Gabonese deputy prime minister stressed, at the conclusion of the signing
ceremony, the constant support given by the French Goverriment to Gabon's eco-
nomic development efforts.
The mining inventory program concerned by this agreement consists of three
phases: the first is radar mapping of the entire territory carried out by
- Aeroservice Corporation (United States). The air survey operation has been
completed and utilization of the results is in progress. For this program,
~ financing by the Gabonese state amounts to some 1 billion CFA fiancs. Super-
vision of the work is entrusted to the company Sodeteg iexpansion unknown].
The second phase involves an airborne geophysical reconnaissance. Work is
anticipated for this year. The financing for this program totals 2 billion
CFA francs, divided between the Gabonese state, 1 billion, and the EDB, 1
billion. As is the case for the first phase, supervision of the work will be
provided by Sodeteg.
The third phase will especially concern soil prospecting. Three independent
teams of geologists will be set up to cover 15,000 square kilometers per year.
~ The National Geological Service, as indicated by the Ministry of Mines and
Petroleum, will form one of these teams. Also, the support of the French
FAC (Aid and Cooperation Fund) will permit the operation of a team from the
Geological and Mineral Prospecting Office [BRGM], and Gabon will assume respon-
sibility for setting up the third independent team of geologists.
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The agreement also states that the Directorate Ceneral of Mines and Geology
will coordinate the work as a whole with the support of a nucleus of geologists
financed by the FAC.
The total of the ground work a~nounts to some 10 billion CFA francs spread out
over 10 years or so and covering half the national territory. The agreement
signed at Libreville covers in part the 1981 BRGM campaign in Gabon and at
the same time permits setting up the support nucleus in the Directorate General
of Mines. . ~
COPYRIGHT: Rene Moreux et Cie Paris 1982.
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GABON
~
CANADIAN INTEREST IN PROVIDING FINANCIAL AID
Paris MARCHES TROPICAUX ET MEDITERRANEENS in French No 1898, 26 Mar 82 p 858
[Text] In our issue of 12 March 1982 p 743, we pointed out that Georges Rawiri,
first deputy prime minister and Gabonese minister of transport, recently
visited Canada.
'Phe results of this visit made it possible to strengthen er_onomtc relations
between Gabon and Canada. Let us state today that, according to the official
report of the visit, both parties "showed their interest in seeing Canadian
firms take part in different projects in Gabon" and, in particular, in the
construction of the Transgabonese railroad, as well as in the supply of equip-
ment and services. Both parties welcomed the advanced star_e of negotiations
concerning the electrif ication and water supply project in the rural areas of
Gabon, as well as the project concerning the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
. Cooperation building. Both parties reaffirmed the very special meaning t'nat
they attach to the forthcoming completion of these two important projects.
It was mutually agreed that a trade mission of Canadian businessmen would go
to Gabon in the near future.
Mr de Bane, Canadian external relations minister, reiterated the Canadian
Government's interest in providing financial support to Canadian businessmen
wishing to set themselves up in Gabon as part of the industrial cooperation
program of the Canadian International Development Agency [CIDA]. This agency
is ready to assist in financing part of the rural electrification and water
supply project, concurrently with the Association for the Expansion of Cana-
dian Expor~s.
COPYRIGHT: Rene Moreux et Cie Paris 1982.
9434
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GUINEA
BRIEFS
ATTEMPT TO ASSASSINATE PRESIDENT--IEditorial Report] Paris JEUNE AFRIQUE in
French 5 May 1982 carries on pages 22-24 a 1,600-word Sennen Andriamirado
"exclusive" article in which he alleges that an assassination attempt was
made against Guinea President Sekou Toure on either 8 or 15 t~pril by an
armed man who Pntered tlie president3al palace, killed a guard and injiired
several others and who claimed to be trying:~u avenge former Guinean Public
Works Minister Kabassan Keita. The article goes on to say that Keita was
sacked in March for alleged misappropriation offunds but claims that action
was taken against Keita because he had accused others of misappropriation.
Andriamirado claims tfi at when meeting with "~+epresentatives of international
creditors who had come to investigate the way in which their money was being
used" in early 1982, Keita liad told tfiem "You are asking me for a report on
the work! But nothing has been done! I have not seen much of your aid."
Andriamirado concludes his report by discussing previous attempts on Sekou
- Toure's life.
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NIGER
S
STRENGTHENING OF SAUDI COOPERATION DESCRIBED
Paris MARCHES TROPICAJX ET MEDITERRANEENS in French No 1898, 26 Mar 82 p 851
[Text] Assessing his 4-day visi:t to Saudi Arabia on his arrival in Niamey on
17 March, President Kountche recalled that Saudi Arabia had promised Niger a
contribution of some 19 billion CFA f rancs under the National Investment Fund
[FNI] headin~ of the 1982 budget. This contribution will make possible the
successful completion of equipment projects in the social field, such as vil-
lage hydraulic work, health and educational equipment or the import of
fertilizers.
Colonel Kountche stressed the role which Saudi Arabia is playing in Niger's
construction of highway connections to other countries, in particular, in the
financing, fnr 11 billion CFA francs, of the Niamey-Filingue highway. These
contributions, President Kountche repeated, fall within the ~ramework of
"strengthening solidarity" and "strengthening a shared destiny" in the Islamic
faith. The chief of state, who met the director of the Islamic Development
Bank [IDBJ, Ahmad Muhammad, in Jiddah, remarked that this institution is
interested in the development of Niger's highway network, in particular, the
north-south trans-Saharan main road, two important sections of which remain
to be asphalted (Zinder to Agadez and Arlit to the Algerian border).
The Nigerian chief of state indicated that the IDB intends to intensify its
efforts to import cement and petroleum products into Niger and is studying its
participation in the construction of a cement plant with a 250,000 to 300,000
ton capacity.
President Kounrche also studied, with King Khalid and with the secretary
general of the Organization of the Isla~nic Conference (OIC), Habib Chatti,
the preparati~n for the Islamic organization's forthcoming ministerial con-
ference. It was agreed that this would be held in Niamey 6 to 12 June.
Lastly, President Kountche indicated that the difficulties encountered during
the construction of tlie Islamic University at Say (SO kilometers south of
Niamey) had been overcome. A draft agreement for the completion of the
third section of this university was to be signed on 17 Msrch in Jiddah.
It is also noted moreover that besides the ministers of plan and of foreign
a�Fairs and cooperation, who accompanied President Kountche, the ministers
of commerce, Hamid Algabit, and of mines and industries, Annou Mahamane,
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visi.ted 9audi Arabia in the last few months. Durir~g this same period, it is
noted, Niamey appointed a new ambassador to Jiddah, Salifou Soumaila, the
former ambassador to Algeria.
For his part, the Saudi Development Fund's vice president, Muhammad al-Qusayr~
signed an agreement in Niamey for a multi-annual loan to finance construction
of .the Niamey-Filingue highway.
On that occasion he announced that his country was studying the possibility
of participating in the financing of the Kandadji dam.
COPYRIGHT: Rene Moreux et Cie Paris 1982.
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NIGER
MILITARY REGIME CAN BOAST OF GOOD RESULTS
Paris JEUNE AFRIQUE in French No 1111, 21 Apr 82 pp 34-36
[Article by Siradiou Diallo': "The Discreet Charm of the Military"]
' [Text] After the six other departmental capitals in the country, it is now
the turn of Agadez, the old caravan city built at the gateway to the desert
and the high place of Touareg country, to host this year's festivities marking
the army's coming to power (15 April 1974). With its prestigious sultan's
_ palace and its labyrinth of mud houses overlooked by the minaret.of a famous
mosque dating from the 16th century, the capital of Air will be the capital
of Niger for a day. Artists, musicians and athletes fram the four corners of
the land will be pitted against one another in single combat witnessPd, among
other spectators, by the entire leadership which will c~ome from Niamey for the
occasion.
- It will also be the time to draw up the balance.sheet of 8 year~ under the
military regime, a balance sheet of which a�visitor landing at the Niamey
airport will soon have a glimpse, beginning with the nearly compJ.eted highway
taking him to the city.. While one large international-class hotel, the Gaweye,
has opened its doors a few months a~o, a number of other projects are being
completed: the Palace of Congresses, ministries, ONAREM (National Office of
Mineral Resources), and so on. The frantic construction has reached such a
point that the International Monetary Fund recently advised the government to
exercise moderation. Nevertheless, without the drop in the price of uranium,
the main export product, many other building pro~ects would already have been
undertaken.
The authorities are all the more determined to give t~he capital modern infra-
structures because it had practically none. Ten years ago, Niamey looked more
like a big villa~~ than a capital. But "those who set the prices, the mighty,"
the chief of st_ate sighs with bitterness showing in his eyes, "deliberately
broke our st;_eak." Nor was the ambition of the Supreme Military Council (CMS),
which ousted Hamani Diori, limited to embellishing Niamey. First and foremost,
it wanted to rehabilitate the difficult economic situation inherited from the
old regime. The officers wanted to put politics on the back burner and turn
to what, in their eyes, is essential: development.
One can now say that in the main, they won their bet. Thanks to strict manage-
ment and not hesitating to come down hard on all those who confuse public and
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a�vn vrri~,irla, u~c v1vi.1I
, personal finances, President Seyni Kountche succeeded tn stabilizing the eco-
= nomic situation. In agriculture, for example, the food shortage was limited.
Furthermore, national production during certain years actually covered all
orain needs, an increasingly rare phenomenon in the Sahel. This result was
due to a systematic policy of agricultural water projects, coordinated with
action aimed at increasing the productivity of the soil.
- Regarding livestock raising, the nation's herds, decimated during.the great
drought of 1972-1973~, have been rebuilt. For certain species, the 1968 level
has even been surpassed, thanks to a:sustained effort on behalf of the develop-
ment of pasture iancl. ,
Major sacrifices have also been made to modernize the road system. "Correcting
the country's isolation is the top priority," we were told by President Seyni
Kountche as he pointed to the huge map in his office. The fact is that Niger
is totally dependent on its neighbo.rs for its exports and imports. He there-
fore intends to cooperate witli them in order~to build accessways both to the
Atlantic Coast, throu~h Nigeria,�Benin and Togo, and the Medi�terranean, through
Algeria. A hub of the major overland ways destined to serve as a bridge
between Black Africa and Mediterranean Africa thraugh the Sahara, Niger has
taken its role very seriously.
With the completion a year ago of the famous "uranium road" linki~g Tahoua and
Arlit, one can say that in their Nigerien portion, the branches of the Trans-
African (Algiers-Mombasa) and of the Trans-Saharan (Algiers-Lagos) took a major
leap forward. Likewise, in the east-west direction, from the border of Mali
to the shores of Lake Chad via Niamey, Maradi, Zinder and Diffa, there remain
only a few short sections that are not paved.
So many achievements in the area of infrastructures were possible only because
of the resources derived from uranium. This tells the strategic role of this
product in the country's economic development, as well as the impact of the
drop in prices on the budget and financial balance. It was beginning in
January 1980 that the world market collapsed, but Niger, which negotiates the
sale price of the ore for the following year with its foreigri partners each
year, did not feel the effect immediately. At the end of 1979, the price
set for 1980 with the 16 Western companies representing the nine countries
involved in uranium mining was 24,560 CFA francs a kilogram.
For 1981, the world price fell to 16,500 CFA francs a kilogram. Gre:zt persua-
sive efforts were needed on the part of France, the majority partner, to make
the others agree to raise it to 20,000 francs. For Niger, this still meant a
loss of 8 billion CFA francs (160 million French francs). The price for 1982
recovered somewhat, moving to 24,000 CFA francs a kilogram, slightly under
the 1980 level. Consequently, the investment budget for 1982 is only 26 bil-
lion CFA francs, the same sum as in 1981, compared with the 35 billion origin-
ally planned.
How can i~ranium prices be stabilized? That is the major question haunting
all Nigerien leaders. While they are told that :he fluctuations linked to the
famous law of supply and demand are inevitable a market economy, they agree
out of courtesy, but without being convinced. They raCher tend to think that
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the drop in prices results fram a deliberate policy., that it is a matter of
intimidating, if not punishing, a small country like Niger which refuses.to
give in to the dictates of the mighty. .
Despite the many pressures used by diplomats and other special envoys from
Western countries in Niamey, in fact, Col Seyni Kountche has not hesitated to
- sell his uranium to countries such as Libya, Pakistan and Iraq. In 1981,
Qadhdhafi was even the second customer for Nigerien uranium after France. Tri-
poli bought 1,212 tons and Paris 2,293.3. To what uses ar.e such purchases
put by Libya, Pakistan and Iraq? ".That is not our problem," th~ Nigerien chief
of state immediately retorts, and he adds: "We are determined to sell our
- uranium to anyone who wants to buy it, just like our peanuts or early vegeta-
bles, provided they go along with the provisions of the International Atomic
Energy Agency in Vienna!" ~
And if one brings up the risk of proliferation of the atomic boms, Colonel
Kountche replies: "We sell only uranium metal, which is not what is used to
make bombs. It is those who have the processing plants and the necessary tech-
nology who should be told not to sell. They are the danger, not us."
Likewise, the obstinacy of the Nigerien leaders in wanting to bring Kuwait
into the capital of the latest uranium company encountered strong resistance
on the part of the French partners. In October 1980, Colonel K~untck?e had
to get angry and pound on the table in order for his interlocutors, led by ~
Peckeur, head of the Atomic Energy Commission, Georges Besse, general director
of COGEMA (General Nuclear Materials Company), and Panouillot, chairman of
the board of directors of the Tassa-Ntagalgue Minin~ Company (SMTT), to agree
probably against their will to allow Kuwait a share in the capital of the
SMTT.
Precisely what is the policy of Niger's partners on uranium? Are they willing
to find a price stabilization agreement? How do they set the prices? Is
Niger to make agreements only with the companies, or with their home countries
as well? These are questions of concern to Nigerien leaders, questions which
Col Seyni Kountche will undoubtedly not fail to bring up with Francois Mitter-
rand at the time of the official visit which the French president is planning
to make to Niamey in May. The Nigerien chief of state will also take advantage
ot the opportunity to ask for France's support in completing two major projecr_s
which the regime deems to have priority.
One of these projects is working of the SMTT deposit destined to produce
1,500 tons of uranium metal a year. With the corestruc.tion of the ore process-
ing plant, an electrical power plant and a mining compound that will be inte-
grated into the city of Akokan, the undertaking represents an investment on
the order af 100 billion CFA francs (2 billion French francs).
The Nigerien chief of state could also plead the case of the usefulness of the
Kandandji Dam on t'ne Niger River to his French colleague. This project would
irrigate nearly 100,000 hectares of arable land, while producing 200 megawatts
of electricity. Nigerien leaders attach all the more importance to the project
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, because tre Niamey region, supplied by the Kaindji Dam (Nigeria), suffers from
a severe energy shor.tage. Furthermore, the country's oil bill is some 18 bil-
- J.ion CFA francs. But given the high cost of the operation (over 100 billion
- CFA francs), certain backers, such as the FRG, are reticent.
Under such conditions and considering the country's poor economic situat~on at
the present time, other projects like the Parakou-Niamey railroad will remain
filed away. Awaiting the recovery which, for Niger, is closely linked to the
relaunching of plans to develop nuclear energy in the Western world, the Su-
Freme Military Council is concerned about the political situation, even though
8 years after his accession to power, Colc,nel Kountche seems to have the situa-
~ tion well in hand. Nor does he have anything more to fear from his predeces-
sors. Released now, most officials from the ald regime have turned to business,
although a number of them were recently assigned to house arrest in their vil-
lages. Was this arbitrary? Not at all, the chief of state told us. "I have
my reasons," state reasons difficult to explain.
As for former President Hamani Diori, he is still under house arrest in the
villa occupied by the former president of the National Assembly, Boubou Hama,
who died at the end of January in Niamey at the age of 73. Having totally
regained his sight following an operation for cataracts 2 years ago, Diori
reads, writes and listens to the radio, when not talking with his near rela-
tives, the only persons authorized to visit him. But everything would seem
to indicate that he will not be long in regaining full freedom of movement.
"That would already have been the case, if it were not for the subversive
action of Abdoulaye Diori," Colonel Kountche told us, before explaining that .
the eldest son of the former president is constantly in touch with Qadhdhafi
in order to destabilize the regime in Niamey. Abdoulaye Diori, who vehemently
denies this, is reportedly setting up commando operations fram Libya in order
to Lree his father.
In other words, despite the recent~restoration of diplomatic relations between
Ni~mey and Tripoli interrupted at the beginning of 1981, confidence is not .
total. Proof of this is the campaign of discredit now waged by Colonel Qadhd-
hafi throughout the Gulf countr'ies, a campaign according to which the Nigerien
chief of state reportedly belongs to a non-Muslim ethnic group which persecutes
the followers of Muhammad! Consequently, no more aid must be given to him.
But the leaders of the Gulf countries know what they are dealing with.
Nevertheless, in politics, the major concern at the moment revoyves nround the
establishment of the development company, an original institution which, in the
absence of a political party since the army's accession to power, is aimed at
obtaining the effective, voluntary participation of the people in the task
of national construction and whose two driving forces are the traditional
youth organizations, the Samariya, and the cooperatives. What real power would
tt~e development company have? Could it not play the role of a parliament in
wliich the needs, interests and aspirations of the people would be reflected.
Certain official statements would indicate this.
But whether it be a question of this project or any others bei.ng put together
in Niamey, things must be approached cautiously, for if, in 8 years, the face
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of Niger has changed, Col Seyni Kountche has not really changed his methods
that much, still governing with a heavy dose of mystery. As a good staff offi-
cer, he prefers to surprise rather than to reveal his tacties and positions.
Nevertheless, the Nigeriena~are the rare Africans to enjoy the discreet charm
of the military.
COPYRIGHT: Jeune Afrique GRUPJIA 1982
11,464
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NIGER
BRIEFS
ECONOMIC IMEACT OF MARICET FIRE--If yQU have not seen the Niamey market, it is
too late! On the night of 30-31 March, those hectares of wooden and corrugated
metal huts built in the heart of the capital were ravaged by a huge fire. An
initial estimate placed the damage to goods and f acilities devastated t~y the
f lames at over 5 billion CFA francs (including the road terminal). In other
words, even if there were no casualties, the fire meant total ruin for thou-
sands of families. What is worse,'the country's commercial circuits will be
disorganized for a long time to come because, as one Nigerien official ex-
plained, "when the Niamey market had a cold, all trade in the country sneezed,
Now there is nothing left of.it." To understand this, oz~e has to have seen
the hordes of jobbers and low-level government employe�s who would invade
the market at 1800 hours on the nose,~turning it into a restaurant. For
100 CFA francs, they co~lld eat and learn where the goods smuggled in from ,
neighboring Nigeria could be found. From live monkeys to tape recorders, one
could find everyting at the big Niamey market~. .A little of everything is .
right: Amidst the dusty bric-a-brac and an infernal amount of noise, Haoussa,
Djerma, Peul and Songhai vendors served a motley crew. One would think that
all the merchants in West Africa had agreed to met for a daily fair. Of all
that, nothing is left. [By M. K. N.] [Text] [Paris JEUNE AFRIQUE in French
No llil, 21 Apr 82 p 35] [COPYRIGHT: Jeune Afrique GRUPJIA 1982] 11,464
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NIGERIA
BRIEFS
INFLATION IN 1981--According to the BUSINESS TIMES of 22 March, referring to
the latest f igures published hy the Central Bank, the rate of inflation in
Nigeria for the first 9 months of 1981 was 21.9 percent. However, this rate
could have diminished during the last quarter, as inflation is generally
weaker at this time of the year, especially compared to the first quarter.
The paper also indicated that for the same period, imports amounted to 8.3
billion naira (approximately $13 billion). Sugar leads the imported food
products, at more than $550 million, followed by rice (approximately $400
million). The final figures for 1981 will not be known for several months.
[Text] [Paris MARCHES TROPICAUX ET MEDITERRANEENS in French.No 1898, 26
Mar 82 p 853] [COPYRIGHT: Rene Moreux et Cie Paris 1982.] 969'
FAVORABLE BALANCE FOR FRANCE--The French-Nigerian trade balance for the 12
months of 1981 is clearly in France's favor for the f irst time since 19G2.
In fact, out of a total of Fr 17.6 billion in trade (Fr 843 million less
than in 1980), France's sales amounted to Fr 9.243 billion, compared to 5.717
billion in 1980 62 percent), and its purchases to 8.357 billion, compared
to 12.726 billion (-35 percent). Thus, while France had a def icit of 7.009
billion in 1980, its surplus in 1981 was Fr 886 million. This situation,
whose development could be noted regularly throughout the year, results largely
from the numerous contracts concluded by France that have increased its sales
of machinery and equipment. It is also explained by a signif icant decrease
in its purchases of petroleum. In fact, in 1981 they amounted to only 5.4
million barrels, at an average price of Fr 1,523 per barrel, while in 1980
they amounted to 10.9 million barrels, at an average price per barrel which
was 37 percent lower, or Fr 1,112. This increase in the price per barrel
explains why, although French purchases declined SO percent in volume, they
decreased only 35 percent in value from one year to the next. [Text] [Paris
MARCHES TROPICAUX ET MEDITERRANEENS in French No 1898, 26 Mar 82 p 853]
[COPYRIGHT: Rene Moreux et Cie Paris 1982.] 9693
CRUDE OIL PRICES, SALES--In conformance with the decisions adopted at the
special OPEC conference in Vienna on 19 and 20 March, Nigeria's petroleum
production must be limited to 1.3 million barrels per day, and the reference
price must be decreased from ~~36.52 to $35.42, effective immediately. The
production ceiling is slightly higher than February's production, estimated
at between 1.1 and 1.2 million barrels per day. As for the price, Bonny
Light's principal competitor is North Sea petroleum, whose price Great Britain
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lowered to $31 several months ago. There therefore remains a price differen-
tial of $4.52 per barrel to Nigeria's disadvantage, which may turn away
buyers of Nigerian petroleum in a market characterized by surplus production.
[TextJ [Paris'MARCHES TROPICAUX ET MEDITERRANEENS in French No 1898, 26
Mar 82 p 853] [COPYRIGHT: Rene Moreux et Cie Paris 1982.] 9693
LOKOJA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT--We know that, partly because of the problem of
supplying the future steelmaking complexes at Ajaokata, the giant Lokoja
hydroelectric project decided on in September 1979 by General Obasanjo's
military regime and then abandoned in 1980 by President Shogari's civilian
regime has surfaced again, with its completion receiving priority from the
National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) over other smaller projects--especial-
ly those presented by ICHF (Central Hydraulic Laboratory of France) (MARCHES
TROPICAUX ET MEDITERRANEENS 26 Feb p E21). The federal minister of mines and
power, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim Hassan, spoke of it recently himself, and the
governor of Kwara, Alhaji Adama Atta, mentioned i.t in a discussion with the
head of state on 22 February. Two years ago the project, located at the con-
fluence of the Niger and the Benne in Kwara State, was estimated at some 2.5
billion naira, or approximately $5 billion. With 2,000 MW of power, it was
supposed to be one of thelargest in the country and was to be added to the
Kainjli, the f irst plant built, and to the Jebba and Shiroro plants, still in
progress, as well as to various other thermal projects, for the production of
electricity. The country's requirements are such (see MARCHES TROPICAUX ET
MEDITERRANEENS, 12 Feb p 372) that Minister Ibrahim Hassan has also announced
a new ~1 billion naira hydroelectric project with a 1250 MW capacity, which
- would be located in Gemba, in Gongola State. [Text] [Paris MARCH~S TROPICAUX
ET MEDITERRANEENS in French No 1898, 26 Mar 82 p 853] [COPYRIGHT: Rene
Moreux et Cie Paris 1982.j 9693
MOItE ON UJUKWU PARDON--Lagos, 18 May (NAN)--President Shehu Shagari today
- got,the approval of the National Council of State to grant pardon to
Mr Chukwuemeka Ojukwu. A statement this evening from the executive office
of. the president, in Lagos, said that the exercise was in fulfilment of
an undertaking given last year by the president to review the case of
rtr Ojulcwu. Th e statement said that the president had directed the police
to issue a notice in the Gazette to nullify the taint of c~timinality on
rir Ojukwu's image by its wanted fugitive offenders notice. Earl ier today,
at the end of the meeting of the Council of State, Governor Abubakar Rimi
of Kano had told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the pre~ident's
proposal to grant pardon to Mr Ojukwu met no obstacles whatsoever.
r1r Ojukwu went into self exile at th e close of the Nigerian Civil War in 1970.
He was military governor of the fo rmer eastern region and one of the leaders
- of the rebellion that led to the civil war which raged from 1967 to 1970.
lie w