Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CONAKRY212
2008-05-21 14:21:00
SECRET
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:  

CLOSE FRIEND OF NEW PM SHARES INSIGHTS

Tags:  PGOV PREL KDEM ASEC GV 
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VZCZCXRO9980
PP RUEHPA
DE RUEHRY #0212 1421421
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 211421Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2549
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
S E C R E T CONAKRY 000212 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: CLOSE FRIEND OF NEW PM SHARES INSIGHTS

REF: CONAKRY 0209

Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D

S E C R E T CONAKRY 000212

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: CLOSE FRIEND OF NEW PM SHARES INSIGHTS

REF: CONAKRY 0209

Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D


1. (C) Returning to Conakry from a trip to Middle Guinea,
Econoff stopped in Mamou on May 21 to visit the local
prefect, Mr. Safioulaye Bah, in order to discuss recent
political developments (reftel). Bah told Econoff that he is
a close personal friend of the new prime minister, Dr. Ahmed
Tidiane Souare. He said that they had worked together as
civil servants in the Ministry of Finance, and that Souare
was close to Bah's father, a respected imam from Labe. Bah
added that Souare was a frequent guest for dinner at Bah's
personal residence when they were working together.


2. (S) According to the prefect, Souare's appointment as PM
represents a big step backwards. Shaking his head, he told
Econoff, "it is really too bad," as he described Souare as a
Conte loyalist. Bah said he is certain that Souare will
quickly dismiss the ministers of interior and security,
commerce, education, and mines, because all of them are known
to be staunch supporters of Kouyate. He added that the
litmus test for the new cabinet will be whether or not
cabinet members are loyal to Conte. If they are not, Bah
told Econoff that they will be dismissed.


3. (C) Even though Bah was appointed by Kouyate in July
2007, he told Econoff that he is not worried about his own
job because of his close personal connection with Souare.
However, he said that it is likely many, if not most, of the
governors and prefects will be replaced.


4. (S) Based on his personal knowledge of Souare, Bah said
that the new PM will not support the National Independent
Election Commission (CENI) and that there probably won't be
any elections until the presidential elections in 2010.
Furthermore, he said that Souare will not support the
National Commission of Inquiry into the alleged human rights
abuses committed by security forces during the civil unrest
in 2007. Bah added that Souare is unlikely to pursue any
reforms related to mining contracts, and will probably not
pursue any of the findings detailed in the recent ministerial
audits.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


5. (C) Embassy considers Mr. Bah an excellent contact who is
well educated and intellectually thoughtful about Guinea's
political and economic situation. At the same time, Bah's
views on the new PM are decidedly slanted, which raises
questions about a possible personal bias. Nonetheless, Bah's
views provide an interesting perspective from someone who
claims to know the new PM very well. The accuracy of Bah's
predictions will be demonstrated in the weeks and months to
come. END COMMENT.
CARTER