ANOTHER VIEW ON THE PRESIDENT'S HEALTH

S E C R E T CONAKRY 000117 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/W AND INR/AA E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/16/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC GV SUBJECT: ANOTHER VIEW ON THE PRESIDENT'S HEALTH Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D ¶1. (S) When out for walkS in a residential neighborhood, an Embassy EFM staff member often chats with an older Guinean neighbor claiming to be President Conte's cousin. The neighbor said that he goes to see the president once or twice a week and that his job is to "make him laugh" since Conte does not laugh much these days. In addition, the neighbor said that he helps Conte sort through his personal mail and reads him the newspaper. ¶2. (S) During a recent conversation, the neighbor told EFM that Conte is "old, tired, and not sleeping well." He confirmed rumors of the president's deteriorating health and said that the president's stack of mail is becoming overwhelming because he has not dealt with it. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶3. (S) The credibility of the source is unknown, but he claims regular access to the president. Source, who says he was born in 1935 (one year after the president),told EFM that his mother is related to Conte's older sister. He claims to have grown up with Conte and that they played together as children. Source continues to remark on Conte's deteriorating health. Source also mentioned that Conte's son, Ousmane Conte, sometimes stops by the neighbor's residence and that he would like to bring him by EFM's house to introduce him. END COMMENT. CARTER