SITREP NO. 36: GUINEA UNREST, FEB. 12, 1530 GMT

S E C R E T CONAKRY 000171

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2017
TAGS: PGOV ELAB ASEC CASC PINS AEMR GV
SUBJECT: SITREP NO. 36: GUINEA UNREST, FEB. 12, 1530 GMT

REF: CONAKRY 170 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: Political Officer Jessica Davis Ba. Reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).


1. (S) Military-on-military violence appears to have
subsided, though the situation remains very fluid.


2. (C) According to opposition leader Sidya Toure, tensions
persist inside Camp Alpha Yaya between soldiers who want to
side with the civilian population and those who do not. He
said two trucks of red berets i.e. presidential guards, have
entered the camp to support troops loyal President Conte and
the chain of command. Toure concluded, "It isn't over yet;
President Conte will not refrain from using force, if
necessary, to remain in power." Camp Samory Toure, in
downtown Conakry, is reported to be calm.


3. (S/NF) No new information available regarding coup plot
mentioned in previous sitreps.


4. (C) President Conte remains in Conakry.


5. (C) Members of the Guinean government are meeting as of
this writing at Camp Samory Toure. We have unconfirmed
reports that they are considering a collective resignation.
Other reports indicate they are discussing the declaration of
a state of emergency. Minister of State for Economic
Development Madikaba Camara confirmed to one of our FSNs that
he was at Camp Samory and that all the ministers were working
on a "draft," the content of which he would disclose once
they were finished. Camara did not report any disturbances
at the camp.


6. (C) Multiple sources report that red berets destroyed
private radio station Radio Liberte, because it was
broadcasting information hostile to the Conte regime. We
have not confirmed the alleged arrests of some station
employees. As of this afternoon, the station is no longer on
the air.


7. (S) Violence continues in the interior with targeted
property destruction. Our contact from Macenta, a city near
the Liberian border, reported that residents sacked the house
belonging to Aicha Conneh, former LURD leader and Conte
loyalist who reportedly mobilized LURD and ULIMO militias to
defend the Conte regime. Macenta remains volatile. Clashes
between citizens and security forces have resulted in at
least three deaths. Residents in Labe destroyed the large
home of Alpha Ousmane Diallo, former Minister of Housing.
Violence and significant property damage continue in
N'Zerekore.


8. (C) French Ambassador Jean-Michel Berrit has told the
Ambassador that the French Embassy and government continue to
monitor the situation closely, but have not ordered an
evacuation.
MCDONALD