Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07CONAKRY1066
2007-09-24 14:21:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
PRESIDENT DISMISSES CONTROVERSIAL MILLIONAIRE
how-toVZCZCXRO2087 OO RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHRY #1066 2671421 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 241421Z SEP 07 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1669 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
UNCLAS CONAKRY 001066
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL GV
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT DISMISSES CONTROVERSIAL MILLIONAIRE
MAMADOU SYLLAH
UNCLAS CONAKRY 001066
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL GV
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT DISMISSES CONTROVERSIAL MILLIONAIRE
MAMADOU SYLLAH
1. (SBU) Reportedly, President Lansana Conte dismissed
controversial millionaire Mamadou Syllah from his post of
honorary president of the majority Party for Unity and
Progress (PUP) on September 22. In March 2007, Conte
appointed Syllah to the position, a post he had held himself
until then. Conte reportedly did not name a successor.
Syllah had been imprisoned in December 2006 on charges of
embezzlement, but released a few days later when Conte
intervened on his behalf, sparking civil unrest throughout
Guinea in January and February. Since March, Syllah,s
appointment has served as a divisive factor within the ranks
of the PUP.
2. (SBU) Over the past few months, Syllah has allegedly
provided significant financing to the PUP,s activities. His
dismissal comes just when the party is trying to mobilize
popular support in preparation for the upcoming legislative
elections, a time when deep pockets could have been
particularly useful. However, during a September PUP trip
upcountry, Syllah was ill-received by local communities, and
in some instances, even booed.
3. (SBU) COMMENT. Syllah,s dismissal could signal an
increase in party support for Aboubacar Sompare, current
president of the National Assembly. In recent months,
Sompare,s influence seems to have declined relative to that
of Syllah,s. Removing Syllah may reunite competing factions
within the PUP. END COMMENT.
BROKENSHIRE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL GV
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT DISMISSES CONTROVERSIAL MILLIONAIRE
MAMADOU SYLLAH
1. (SBU) Reportedly, President Lansana Conte dismissed
controversial millionaire Mamadou Syllah from his post of
honorary president of the majority Party for Unity and
Progress (PUP) on September 22. In March 2007, Conte
appointed Syllah to the position, a post he had held himself
until then. Conte reportedly did not name a successor.
Syllah had been imprisoned in December 2006 on charges of
embezzlement, but released a few days later when Conte
intervened on his behalf, sparking civil unrest throughout
Guinea in January and February. Since March, Syllah,s
appointment has served as a divisive factor within the ranks
of the PUP.
2. (SBU) Over the past few months, Syllah has allegedly
provided significant financing to the PUP,s activities. His
dismissal comes just when the party is trying to mobilize
popular support in preparation for the upcoming legislative
elections, a time when deep pockets could have been
particularly useful. However, during a September PUP trip
upcountry, Syllah was ill-received by local communities, and
in some instances, even booed.
3. (SBU) COMMENT. Syllah,s dismissal could signal an
increase in party support for Aboubacar Sompare, current
president of the National Assembly. In recent months,
Sompare,s influence seems to have declined relative to that
of Syllah,s. Removing Syllah may reunite competing factions
within the PUP. END COMMENT.
BROKENSHIRE