SOUARE SWORN IN AS NEW PRIME MINISTER OF GUINEA

C O N F I D E N T I A L CONAKRY 000219 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2018 TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL ASEC GV SUBJECT: SOUARE SWORN IN AS NEW PRIME MINISTER OF GUINEA REF: CONAKRY 0209 Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D ¶1. (SBU) Dr. Ahmed Tidiane Souare was officially sworn in as the new prime minister of Guinea around 1:30 PM on May 23. The ceremony was originally scheduled to begin at 11:00, but was reportedly delayed in order to wait for the arrival and participation of the former prime minister, Lansana Kouyate, as tradition demands. However, Kouyate never showed up and the authorities reportedly decided to proceed with the ceremony. All of the cabinet ministers representing the consensus government were present. ¶2. (C) There are a several rumors circulating as to why Kouyate failed to participate in the ceremony. Some observers likened the situation to that of the swearing in of the new communications minister in January, which the former communications minister, Justin Morel Jr., boycotted in what was seen as a flagrant violation of tradition. A presidential source told a senior LES that President Conte was furious that Kouyate did not attend Dr. Souare's swearing in ceremony. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Now that Dr. Souare has been officially sworn in, Ambassador Carter is seeking to meet him as soon as possible, potentially over the long weekend. END COMMENT. CARTER