GUINEA'S MILITARY ENGAGED IN NATIONWIDE PROTEST

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000489

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2017
TAGS: PGOV ASEC PINS MARR GV
SUBJECT: GUINEA'S MILITARY ENGAGED IN NATIONWIDE PROTEST

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

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Summary
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1. (C) On May 2-3, military officers and soldiers on bases
and military barracks throughout Guinea protested over wages
and the corruption of senior military officers. There are
reports that junior-level officers raided weapons and food
stores in several military outposts and looted the house of
General Kerfalla Camara, Chairman of Defense Staff. There
are unconfirmed reports of injuries to 18-25 military
personnel and family members in Kindia and 8 military
personnel in Labe, most of whom have been hit by stray
bullets. Thus far, the majority of the protests have been
confined to military bases. Through an anonymous letter
dubbed the "red bulletin", soldiers are demanding nine years
of salary arrears totaling approximately 300 billion GNF
(approximately 97 million USD) and are accusing senior
military leaders of embezzling the majority of these funds.
These protests are considered by military and civilians alike
to be a military-military issue that must be resolved within
military channels. On May 5, Guinea's government will hold
an special cabinet meeting and the National Council of
Security and Defense will also meet to determine a solution.
Many expect that senior military officials will be removed
from their positions as part of a negotiated agreement to
appease the soldiers. End Summary.

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Shots Fired Result in Several Injuries
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2. (C) Throughout the night of May 2, junior-level military
officers and soldiers on bases in Conakry, Kindia, and Labe
fired shots into the air in protest over salaries and the
corruption of senior military officers. The night of May 3,
military officers on bases in Kankan and N'Zerekore, and in
the military barracks in the cities of Macenta, Gueckedou,
Kissidougou, and Faranah joined the protest. We have
received reports from all of these cities that soldiers fired
shots into the air beginning at approximately 2100 hours and
ending at approximately 0300 the next morning. There are
reports from Conakry and Kankan that shots continue to be
fired this morning, May 4. The majority of these protests
are confined to military bases and barracks. However,
embassy staff confirmed hearing shots fired into the air in
residential neighborhoods in the Conakry suburbs.


3. (C) We confirmed with a senior advisor to the Chief of
the Army Health Service that, as of May 3 evening, there were
at least 18 people injured in Kindia and 8 injured in Labe.
International press have reported that at least 25 people
were injured in Kindia. We have received no reports of
deaths. The majority of the casualties are military officers
and members of their families residing on military bases who
have been hit by stray bullets. We have received no reports
of soldiers firing upon one another.


4. (C) In addition to firing shots, disgruntled soldiers
have looted arms and food stores on several military bases.
In Kindia, we received reports that, on the night of May 2,
soldiers wearing hoods looted and ransacked the house of
General Kerfalla Camara, Chairman of Defense Staff. Another
private property belonging to General Kerfalla was previously
destroyed by civilian protesters in February during the
general strike and associated violence.

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Generational Split at the Heart of Military Protest
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5. (C) The official impetus for the soldiers' protest is to
draw attention to military pay issues. As an appeasement
measure during the general strike and state of siege earlier
this year, President Lansana Conte promoted the majority of
military officers and soldiers, and promised additional
benefits. The measures temporarily calmed tensions within
the military evidenced by a widening drift between junior and
senior-level officers. When the soldiers did not see the
promised raises in their salaries at the end of April, they
organized in protest and refused to accept their salary
envelopes. Via cell-phone, they organized protests on bases
throughout the country to bring attention to their plight.
No individual or group of officers have identified themselves
as leaders of the protest. The present flare-up is another
phase of a long-standing conflict over salaries, promotions,
and benefits within the military.


6. (C) Over the last two months, an anonymous letter dubbed

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the "red bulletin" has been making its rounds on military
bases claiming that soldiers are owed at least 300 billion
GNF (approximately 97 million USD),representing nine years
of salary arrears. The letter accuses the top military brass
of having embezzled the majority of these funds, now making
the payments to each soldier impossible. Our contacts within
the military confirm that while the soldiers are demanding
salary increases, they are more interested in changing the
top military guard. One mid-level officer told us that
soldiers have closely followed the March appointment of a
consensus government and the personnel and policy changes
that are currently afoot within all ministries. He said the
junior-level officers want to see the same changes within the
military that they have witnessed in civilian sectors.


7. (C) At present, this conflict is regarded by both
military and civilian leaders as a military-military issue
that must be resolved within the channels of the Ministry of
Defense. This is the same sentiment being expressed
upcountry, although civilian leaders are anxious to bring an
end to the standoff, fearing that it could ignite latent
tensions from the strikes and related violence earlier this
year. Poloff spoke with Emmanuel Felemou, Bishop of Kankan,
on May 5 who confirmed shots fired by military officers
throughout the previous night. Felemou said the shooting
kept most residents awake and in fear and at present, many
are staying indoors to avoid any violence. Although stray
bullets have landed in several homes, he reports no injuries.
The Bishop echoed what other Guineans have expressed, "We
hope the reach a conclusion soon -- Guinea cannot afford
another wave of violence."

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Comment
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8. (C) This most recent string of protests is a reflection
of the generational divisions that characterize Guinea's
military. Junior-level officers and rank-and-file soldiers
are demanding more pay and benefits that they argue have been
embezzled and misappropriated by corrupt senior military
leaders. While the crisis is currently being contained
within military bases and barracks, some Conakry residents
fear that civilians might soon join the fray, taking
advantage of an opportunity to exact revenge on military
officers who have not been punished for their involvement in
crimes during the general strike of June 2005 and the
January-February 2007 strike and state of siege. On May 5,
the National Council of Security and Defense and Guinea's
cabinet are holding meeting to chart a way out of the current
crises. Our interlocutors have told us to expect the
dismissal of many senior military officials. We believe the
majority of Guinea's leaders want to avoid at all costs
anything that could threaten the new fledging government. On
the other hand, there are many entrenched interests who would
welcome a crisis to derail the reforms the new government is
desperately trying to implement.
MCDONALD