CENI GEARS UP FOR STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000003

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12598: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM GV
SUBJECT: CENI GEARS UP FOR STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION



1. (U) SUMMARY. During the Ambassador's first formal meeting with
Guinea's National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI),CENI
President Ben Sekou Syllah said the commission is gearing up for a
USG funded strategic planning session on January 9. Heading into
the session, Syllah highlighted three priority focus areas: civic
education, voter registration, and mobilization of resources. END
SUMMARY.


2. (U) The Ambassador met with Guinea's National Independent
Electoral Commission (CENI) on December 28 at the CENI office
building. Approximately ten CENI members were present, including
CENI President, Ben Sekou Syllah, and the other four members of the
CENI executive board (two vice-presidents, the secretary, and the
treasurer). The Ambassador was accompanied by the USAID Director
and Poloff. Members of the press were present and the entire
discussion was videotaped. The Ambassador gave a short press
interview following the session.


3. (U) Ben Syllah emphasized that the CENI has a single vision -
"to be an organization that guarantees the demands of the people."
To that end, Syllah said the CENI's first task is to develop a
strategic plan of action. He added that Guinea's planned
legislative elections are an important step in the social evolution
of the country and that he and other CENI members are taking this
responsibility seriously. Syllah said that the CENI will be holding
a strategic planning retreat beginning January 9 and thanked the
U.S. Government for assistance in facilitating the event. (COMMENT
- Embassy is providing a small grant to organize the CENI's initial
strategy session).


4. (U) Although the CENI has not yet worked out the details of its
strategic program, Ben Syllah said that they have identified three
priority areas as critical to their ability to ensure free and
transparent elections: civic education, voter registration, and
mobilization of resources. With respect to civic education, Syllah
clarified that the general population must be prepared to vote and
to understand their role in the electoral process. In addition,
Syllah said a valid, reliable voter registration is critical to
ensuring transparency. Last, Syllah said that in order for the CENI
to be effective, it must be able to mobilize resources.


5. (U) When the Ambassador asked about donor community equipment
contributions to previous electoral commissions, Syllah said that
they are already using some of it and are looking for the rest.
According to Syllah, some of the equipment is still in good working
condition, but some of is it is either broken or obsolete. Syllah
added that "we must be pragmatic," noting that the CENI will use
what equipment it can find, but ultimately, it has to do the job,
whether it can get the previous equipment or not. Syllah said that
one positive development is that the CENI office building has a
five-year lease, which he said means that the CENI will be able to
use it for all three Guinea's next elections (legislative in 2008,
local in 2009, and presidential in 2010).


5. (U) The Ambassador congratulated the CENI on its historic role
as Guinea's first independent electoral commission. He noted that
the U.S. Government has high hopes for free, fair and transparent
elections in Guinea and that the Embassy will continue to look for
ways to support the process. To that end, the Ambassador
highlighted several planned elections assistance programs totaling
over $1 million, which will be administered by USAID. (Comment -
These programs are in addition to recently completed programs
addressing elections preparations. End Comment).

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COMMENT
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6. (U) The fact that the press was present throughout the meeting
precluded greater in-depth discussion on the role of the CENI.
However, the meeting was useful in that it publicly demonstrated
strong U.S. support for the CENI and U.S. engagement on elections.
It also allowed Ben Syllah to go on the record declaring that the
CENI would guarantee that the concessions the population won from
the government in early 2007 would be respected. END COMMENT.

CARTER