US embassy cable - 01ABUJA2253

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 002253 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2011 
TAGS: PREL, ECON, PHUM, SOCI, EAID, PINR, NI, ZI, UK 
SUBJECT: NIGERIA TURNS ZIMBABWE AROUND ON LAND SEIZURES 
 
 
REF: ABUJA 2178 
 
 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 
AMCONSUL LAGOS 
 
 
E.O.12958:  DECL: 09/01/2011 
TAGS: 
SUBJECT:  Nigeria Turns Zimbabwe Around on Land Seizures 
 
 
 
 
Classified by CDA Andrews.  Reason:  1.5(b) 
 
 
1.  (C) Summary:  President Obasanjo and Nigeria played the 
critical role in extracting GOZ commitment to stopping land 
seizures at the Abuja Ministerial on Zimbabwe September 6. 
The UK agreed to a "significant financial contribution" to 
land reform but views that commitment as contingent upon the 
GOZ keeping its promises.  For Nigeria, the Ministerial 
provided a platform from which to demonstrate its prowess at 
international statesmanship.  HMG will provide further 
details in London and Washington.  The full text of the 
communique has been faxed to AF/W.  End summary. 
 
 
2.  (U) The Commonwealth Ministerial Committee on Zimbabwe 
(Nigeria, Canada, Jamaica, Kenya, South Africa, the United 
Kingdom and Zimbabwe) met in Abuja September 6.  It agreed 
that "land is at the core of the crisis in Zimbabwe and 
cannot be separated from other issues of concern to the 
Commonwealth, such as the rule of law, respect for human 
rights, democracy and the economy."  The joint communique, 
agreed among heads of delegation over a very long lunch, 
called for a "program of land reform...implemented in a fair, 
just and sustainable manner, in the interest of all the 
people of Zimbabwe, within the law and constitution of 
Zimbabwe."  The meeting welcomed the "re-affirmation of the 
United Kingdom's commitment to a significant financial 
contribution to such a land reform program and its 
under-taking to encourage other international donors to do 
the same." 
 
 
3.  (U) Assurances were given by the GOZ that there would "be 
no further occupation of farm lands;" that it was committed 
"to the Harare Commonwealth Declaration and the Millbrook 
Commonwealth Action Programme;" that it would "speed up the 
process by which farms that do not meet set criteria are 
de-listed;" and that "for farms that are not designated, 
occupiers would be moved to legally acquired lands."  The GOZ 
also agreed to accelerate "discussions with the UNDP, with a 
view to reaching agreement as quickly as possible,...to 
restore the rule of law to the process of land reform 
programme (sic);...to freedom of expression as guaranteed by 
the Constitution of Zimbabwe and to take firm action against 
violence and intimidation." 
 
 
4.  (U) The meeting agreed, "that the way forward is for 
Zimbabwe's international partners: 
(a) to engage constructively with the UNDP and the Government 
of Zimbabwe in pursuing an effective and sustainable land 
reform programme, on the basis of the UNDP proposals of 
December 2000; 
(b) to respond positively to any request from the Government 
of Zimbabwe in support of the electoral process; and 
(c) to continue to contribute to poverty reduction programmes 
for the benefit of the people of Zimbabwe and that those 
partners present (Australia, Canada and United Kingdom), 
would actively pursue these objectives." 
 
 
5.  (C) Separately, Ambassador Raphael Uwechue, Special 
Presidential Envoy for Conflict Resolution in Africa, told 
Charge and Polmiloff September 7 that Nigeria did not define 
being African by skin color.  It was critical to avoid 
further conflict on the continent, particularly conflict with 
a racial tinge. 
 
 
6.  (C) According to British High Commission officials here, 
this was the line President Olusegun Obasanjo took at a 
September 6 breakfast opening the Ministerial gathering. 
Nigeria's President also stressed the need for equitable and 
fair land reform.  HMG regretted that Zimbabwean FM Mudenge 
had not been present to hear Obasanjo's remarks but noted 
that Foreign Minister Sule Lamido echoed Obasanjo faithfully 
during the rest of the day.  Consensus was achieved on most 
points at issue.  However, Mudenge would not agree to 
international election observers; the best that could be 
obtained was the passage in para 4(b), above. 
 
 
7.  (C) According to officials here, HMG is not convinced 
that Mugabe will carry through on the commitments Mudenge 
made at Abuja.  There is residual unease that the GOZ came to 
Abuja in order to "avoid a division within the Common-wealth, 
especially at the forthcoming CHOGM in Brisbane" (joint 
communique, para 2(d)) and that intimidation and land 
seizures could resume shortly thereafter (assuming they 
indeed cease). 
 
 
8.  (C) The British could not have been more pleased with the 
way Obasanjo handled the event.  He brought the GOZ to Abuja 
and, our British colleagues surmise, worked the phone with 
Mugabe throughout, to produce a successful ending. 
 
 
9.  (C) Comment:  For Nigeria, the positive conclusion to the 
Ministerial on Zimbabwe demonstrates the prowess of its 
statesmanship and the fruit of many years of engagement in 
southern Africa.  While the Nigerians do not want to give up 
on Mugabe (stressing repeatedly during the meeting that the 
international community has to treat him with "dignity" in 
order to obtain cooperation), neither can Mugabe easily 
forget Nigeria's firm support for liberation.  The results 
also demonstrate once again that Obasanjo is a force of his 
own in foreign policy and on the international stage.  Just a 
week ago, his Foreign Ministry was still espousing a position 
that demanded far less of Mugabe than what the Commonwealth 
Ministers extracted (reftel).  End comment. 
 
 
10.  (C) Mission has faxed the full text of the communique to 
the Department (AF/W).  Our British interlocutors advise that 
a thoroughgoing briefing on HMG views, including the thoughts 
of principals who attended the meeting, can be obtained in 
London after the return of the UK delegation Friday 
afternoon, September 7. 
Andrews