Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07CONAKRY1083
2007-09-28 12:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
GUINEAN GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO ENFORCE BAN OF
how-toVZCZCXRO1132 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHRY #1083 2711234 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 281234Z SEP 07 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1691 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
UNCLAS CONAKRY 001083
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: GUINEAN GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO ENFORCE BAN OF
ILLEGAL DEMONSTRATIONS
UNCLAS CONAKRY 001083
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: GUINEAN GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO ENFORCE BAN OF
ILLEGAL DEMONSTRATIONS
1. (U) In response to several street demonstrations in
Conakry over the last month, the Minister of Interior and
Security (MIS),Mamadou Beau Keita, announced on September 21
that the Government of Guinea (GoG) has banned all
unauthorized demonstrations in certain districts of the
capital. Although the announcement was widely reported in
the press as a new development, Guinean law requires a
72-working-hour advance notice for any public gatherings. In
addition, the law permits local authorities to cancel a
demonstration or meeting if they believe it poses a threat to
public order.
2. (SBU) Contacts report that none of the recent street
demonstrations were legal since participants did not file the
appropriate paperwork with the government. According to RSO
reports, these were spontaneous demonstrations with
reportedly destructive undertones, bordering on criminal
activity. Subsequent to the Minister,s announcement, an
internet source reported that additional demonstrations
occurred on September 25 in defiance of the government. In a
meeting with poloff on September 25, Elhadj Amadou Diallo,
Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior and Security,
SIPDIS
said he was not aware of the Minister,s announcement, but
that the demonstrations in question are illegal and a
&little criminal8 in nature.
3. (U) There have also been a number of peaceful, legal
demonstrations in recent weeks, which were organized by civil
society organizations and unions. There were no reports that
the government impeded these demonstrations or forbid further
such activity.
4. (SBU) COMMENT. Despite local press reports, the Guinean
government,s actions appear to be more of an effort to
restate existing law and assert that the law will be enforced
rather than an attempt to clamp down on civil liberties. END
COMMENT.
BROKENSHIRE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: GUINEAN GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO ENFORCE BAN OF
ILLEGAL DEMONSTRATIONS
1. (U) In response to several street demonstrations in
Conakry over the last month, the Minister of Interior and
Security (MIS),Mamadou Beau Keita, announced on September 21
that the Government of Guinea (GoG) has banned all
unauthorized demonstrations in certain districts of the
capital. Although the announcement was widely reported in
the press as a new development, Guinean law requires a
72-working-hour advance notice for any public gatherings. In
addition, the law permits local authorities to cancel a
demonstration or meeting if they believe it poses a threat to
public order.
2. (SBU) Contacts report that none of the recent street
demonstrations were legal since participants did not file the
appropriate paperwork with the government. According to RSO
reports, these were spontaneous demonstrations with
reportedly destructive undertones, bordering on criminal
activity. Subsequent to the Minister,s announcement, an
internet source reported that additional demonstrations
occurred on September 25 in defiance of the government. In a
meeting with poloff on September 25, Elhadj Amadou Diallo,
Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior and Security,
SIPDIS
said he was not aware of the Minister,s announcement, but
that the demonstrations in question are illegal and a
&little criminal8 in nature.
3. (U) There have also been a number of peaceful, legal
demonstrations in recent weeks, which were organized by civil
society organizations and unions. There were no reports that
the government impeded these demonstrations or forbid further
such activity.
4. (SBU) COMMENT. Despite local press reports, the Guinean
government,s actions appear to be more of an effort to
restate existing law and assert that the law will be enforced
rather than an attempt to clamp down on civil liberties. END
COMMENT.
BROKENSHIRE