MILITARY LOOTS POLICE OFFICES, BUT RELATIVE CALM

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000302

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/17/2018
TAGS: PGOV ASEC PMIL PREL ELAB GV
SUBJECT: MILITARY LOOTS POLICE OFFICES, BUT RELATIVE CALM
RETURNS

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


1. (SBU) SUMMARY. After attacking the CMIS (Mobile Company
for Security Intervention) headquarters and arresting up to
45 police officials earlier today, elements of the military
spent the afternoon moving through the downtown area,
vandalizing and looting police offices. Preliminary
reporting suggests that the mutineers, under the leadership
of Claude Pivi "Coplan," may be responsible for the looting.
The Ministry of Defense is reportedly uninvolved and has told
Coplan to get things under control. As of 16:00, the
situation does appear to be calming down as the soldiers
return to the barracks with their loot. Meanwhile, the prime
minister met with Customs officials earlier today and is
optimistic that Customs will resume operations tomorrow. END
SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) A source at the Conakry Central Prison told Pol LES
that a group of soldiers ransacked all of the police offices
that are co-located with the prison. They did not actually
destroy the prison itself, but there are a significant number
of police offices at that site. Source said that many police
officers fled the scene, and others were arrested and taken
away by the soldiers. (COMMENT. Poloff had a meeting some
months ago with a police official at this site who said he
had more than 300,000 euros, confiscated during a drug bust,
sitting in his safe at the time. END COMMENT).


3. (SBU) RSO teams report lootings at several different
police stations throughout the city. There are also reports
of fuel stations closing down because some soldiers started
helping themselves.


4. (SBU) From Camp Alpha Yaya, a contact reported that
around 14:30, an ambulance carrying wounded soldiers and two
trucks carrying computers, freezers, air conditioners, and
other equipment returned to the camp. Contact said that the
equipment was looted from various police stations.


5. (S) According to another source, one of Coplan's brand
new vehicles, which was reportedly given to him by President
Conte, was burned last night. Source said that Coplan blamed
the police and said he would retaliate by destroying their
offices the following day.


6. (S) A contact at the Ministry of Defense said that
General Camara is blaming the mutineers for the looting, and
reportedly called Coplan to tell him to get the situation
under control. Contact said that because the looting had not
yet stopped, Camara was planning on sending a delegation to
Camp Alpha Yaya to talk to them.


7. (C) During a telephone conversation with the Ambassador,
Prime Minister Souare said that the arrested police will be
treated appropriately, and intimated that he hopes that
police forces will be able to return to their jobs soon.
Souare said that the police had been negotiating with the GoG
up until two soldiers were killed. (COMMENT. The
Ambassador's impression from Souare was that the military
unilaterally decided to confront the police, and that the PM
had not issued any such instructions. Furthermore, it seemed
as if the PM is trying to contain the problem, but that the
military, or elements of the military, may be operating
independently. END COMMENT).


8. (SBU) With respect to the Customs strike, a delegation of
Customs officers met with the Prime Minister today,
accompanied by the Chef d'Etat Major of the Army. Customs
contacts reported that they are demanding promotions, salary
increases, undefined "specialized" status, and subsidized
rice. Contacts said that the PM told them the GoG would look
into their demands, and asked that they be patient as the
government needs time to address their issues. He reportedly
asked all Customs officials to return to work tomorrow.
Contacts said that the delegation is unhappy with the meeting
because they did not get anything concrete.


9. (C) When he spoke to the Ambassador, the PM confirmed
that he had been in negotiations with Customs, noting that he
expects them to return to work tomorrow. The Ambassador said
that it is important to have the airport functioning normally
and getting Customs back on the job will send a positive
message to the international community.


10. (SBU) As of 16:00, the situation in Conakry is
relatively calm. Much of the shooting has died down, and the
soldiers have returned to the camps. There is less traffic,
but the roads are clear. The airport remains open and

CONAKRY 00000302 002 OF 002


Embassy is hearing from Air France that they are considering
bringing in yesterday's diverted flight.

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COMMENT
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11. (S) The targeted military attack on CMIS headquarters
may have been authorized by the Ministry of Defense, but the
looting looks to have been orchestrated by Coplan and his
mutineers. Coplan's continued ability to act with impunity
suggests that the military has little to no control over Camp
Alpha Yaya. Furthermore, the GoG may have a difficult time
explaining why they cracked down immediately on the police
for essentially doing the same thing the mutineers did a few
weeks ago. There is little overlap between the civilian and
security sectors. The Prime Minister appears to be almost
completely removed from dealings with security forces. END
COMMENT.
CARTER