Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CONAKRY19
2008-01-09 05:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
GUINEA SWEARS IN NEW MINISTER OF COMMUNICATION
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHRY #0019 0090544 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 090544Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2024 INFO RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000019
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: GUINEA SWEARS IN NEW MINISTER OF COMMUNICATION
REF: CONAKRY 00010
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000019
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: GUINEA SWEARS IN NEW MINISTER OF COMMUNICATION
REF: CONAKRY 00010
1. (U) Guinea,s new Minister of Communication, Issa Conde,
was sworn into office on January 7 by the Secretary General
of the Presidency, Sam Soumah. Contrary to protocol and
tradition, the previous Minister, Justin Morel Jr., who was
fired by President Conte on January 3 (reftel),was not in
attendance. No members of Prime Minister Kouyate,s
government were present. Contacts report that the Secretary
General of the Prime Minister,s office normally swears in
new cabinet members, but the President,s office alleged that
they could get no one at the PM's offices to answer their
phones (septel).
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
2. (SBU) Conte,s firing of Justin Morel seems to be at the
heart of Guinea,s current political power struggle. Kouyate
has made it clear that he cannot accept the new Minister
since the PM has the authority to appoint his own cabinet
according to the January 27 Accords. At the same time,
President Conte is unlikely to back down on the new
appointment since doing so would seriously undermine his own
power and authority. The PM traditionally holds his cabinet
meetings on Wednesdays, which means the next one is scheduled
for January 9. Citizens and observers alike are watching to
see if the PM will allow Issa Conde into the meeting. If he
does not, it is likely to be perceived as a direct slap in
the face against President Conte. END COMMENT.
CARTER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: GUINEA SWEARS IN NEW MINISTER OF COMMUNICATION
REF: CONAKRY 00010
1. (U) Guinea,s new Minister of Communication, Issa Conde,
was sworn into office on January 7 by the Secretary General
of the Presidency, Sam Soumah. Contrary to protocol and
tradition, the previous Minister, Justin Morel Jr., who was
fired by President Conte on January 3 (reftel),was not in
attendance. No members of Prime Minister Kouyate,s
government were present. Contacts report that the Secretary
General of the Prime Minister,s office normally swears in
new cabinet members, but the President,s office alleged that
they could get no one at the PM's offices to answer their
phones (septel).
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
2. (SBU) Conte,s firing of Justin Morel seems to be at the
heart of Guinea,s current political power struggle. Kouyate
has made it clear that he cannot accept the new Minister
since the PM has the authority to appoint his own cabinet
according to the January 27 Accords. At the same time,
President Conte is unlikely to back down on the new
appointment since doing so would seriously undermine his own
power and authority. The PM traditionally holds his cabinet
meetings on Wednesdays, which means the next one is scheduled
for January 9. Citizens and observers alike are watching to
see if the PM will allow Issa Conde into the meeting. If he
does not, it is likely to be perceived as a direct slap in
the face against President Conte. END COMMENT.
CARTER