KOUNDARA UNPREPARED FOR UPCOMING ELECTIONS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000313

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12598: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC GV

SUBJECT: KOUNDARA UNPREPARED FOR UPCOMING ELECTIONS



1. (U) SUMMARY. During a recent trip to Koundara, authorities, civil
society and CEPI (prefectoral electoral commission) shared concerns
about upcoming legislative elections, stating that preparations are
moving slowly with little coordination between the various actors.
Some expressed concern that if preparations did not begin soon,
elections would not be feasible this year. CEPI representatives
acknowledge being behind in preparations as they wait for
instructions from Conakry before moving forward. While civil society
appeared to be working closely with the CEPI, the youth associations
seemed completely disconnected from the process. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) During a trip to Koundara (Middle Guinea) the week of June 2,
Asst Poloff met with local authorities, police, civil society, youth
associations and the Independent Prefectoral Electoral Commission
(CEPI) to discuss progress for the upcoming elections. Asst Poloff
also met with representatives from a local NGO, who provided their
perspective on the potential for free and fair legislative elections
later this year.

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LOCAL AUTHORITIES DISAGREE ON
PROGRESS TOWARDS ELECTIONS
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3. (SBU) In separate meetings with Mayor Elhadj Abdoulaye Boiro and
Secretary General Mamadou Allou Diallo (deputy to the Prefect) of
Koundara, Asst Poloff raised the topic of elections. The Secretary
General's initial response was "which elections?" Once his advisors
clarified, he commented that things were going smoothly and that the
local CEPI is operational in Koundara. Mr. Diallo asserted that the
prefectoral authorities are "in charge of organizing elections," but
that they are working in close partnership with the CEPI. He
affirmed that he and the prefect are continually reiterating to the
population their neutrality in the upcoming elections.


4. (SBU) The Mayor also commented on elections, saying that from his
point of view, activities and preparation are moving very slowly. He
said that the local CECI (Commission Electoral Communal Independent)
was created to work with the mayor's office to conduct a census.
However, he said that since the CECI's creation, they have not begun
coordinating with his office. He expressed concern about the census,
saying that it must begin immediately or they will have to wait
until October when the rainy season is finished. He added that if
they cannot start the census until October, Koundara will not be
able to have elections this year.

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CEPI & CIVIL SOCIETY WORKING CLOSELY TOGETHER
--------------


5. (SBU) Asst Poloff held a joint meeting with members of Koundara's
Independent Prefectoral Electoral Commission (CEPI) and the Civil
Society Council. Present at the meeting was the President of both
the CEPI and the Civil Society Council, Ibrahima Diakite, as well as
members of both organizations. According to Mr. Diakite, the CEPI is
on track for organizing the elections and currently waiting for the
former Ministry of Interior and Security (MIS) (Now the Ministry of
Territorial Administration and Political Affairs) in Conakry to
provide instructions before they can create a plan of action. Mr.
Diakite also said that the CEPI cannot begin the census or start
coordinating with local authorities until they receive instructions
from the MIS.


6. (SBU) During the meeting with members of civil society, the CEPI
openly disagreed with Mr. Diakite's statements. CEPI members
complained that they were behind in organizing elections because
they do not have materials, training, equipment or even a location
to begin work. When asked about the rainy season postponing the
census, Mr. Diakite said it "won't be a problem" while other members
of CEPI and civil society adamantly disagreed, saying it will be
impossible to conduct registration in time for elections if they do
not start now.


7. (SBU) All members of CEPI and Civil Society Council agreed that
the elections would be free, fair and transparent, but also noted
that civil society needs to play a role and the CENI needs to remain
free of political influence. One civil society member said that the
prefect's neutrality will depend on the new cabinet appointments in
Conakry, specifically the appointment of a new Minister of Interior
and Security (COMMENT. The new Minister of Territorial
Administration was named on June 20. END COMMENT). Civil Society
Council members also discussed their role in the upcoming elections.
Mr. Diakite said the council will encourage people to register and
choose candidates based on their platforms. He added that the
council will use a local radio station to disseminate information
about the elections. A member of the civil society who runs a
women's association said that her organization is working to support
women candidates and encouraging women not to be influenced by their
husbands when choosing candidates.


CONAKRY 00000313 002 OF 002


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YOUTH UNINFORMED AND DISCONNECTED
--------------


8. (SBU) Asst Poloff met with five members of a youth association in
Koundara - Association de Jeune Pour le Dvelopment de Badiar. The
association's Secretary General, Mamadou Saidou Balde, complained
that the youth have been marginalized and not involved in the
preparations for the elections. He reported being invited to an
initial training with IFES (International Foundation for Electoral
Systems),but said they have not been engaged since then. When asked
whether the youth association is actively coordinating with the
CEPI, Mr. Balde said that while he meets with Mr. Diakite often, he
is still waiting for opportunities for youth to get involved. He
added that in the past, authorities and political parties in
Koundara have not been interested in working with the youth
associations.


9. (SBU) When asked whether Mr. Balde is working to get youths on
the candidate list, Mr. Balde admitted that he "doesn't know how
candidates are chosen." Mr. Balde said that they rarely receive
information from Conakry about the elections.

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NGO CONCERNED ABOUT NUETRALITY
--------------


10. (SBU) Asst Poloff met with Souman Hamidou, program coordinator
for Guinean Volunteers for Development (VGD),a local NGO that
focuses on education, health, environment, agriculture, and civil
society capacity building in Koundara. Mr. Hamidou spoke of the
organization's programs, which are funded by UNESCO and USAID,
saying that VGD decided to also start programs on civic education
this year. He said VGD will sensitize the population and encourage
people to choose candidates based on clear, objective criteria
rather than their ethnic background, for example. He said VGD is
also trying to work with political parties to encourage them to
engage youth in their activities as well as put youth on their
candidate lists.


11. (SBU) Mr. Hamidou said that while he believes the elections can
be free, fair and transparent, much will depend on the neutrality of
the local authorities. He said that he is confident the prefect will
be neutral, explaining that the prefect has encouraged NGOs and
civil society to conduct sensitization programs about the elections.
However, Mr. Hamidou said that he is very concerned about the
prefect's deputy, Secretary General Mamadou Allou Diallo. He said
that he is worried Mr. Diallo will use his position and domineering
personality to influence the elections, adding that Mr. Diallo has
been in office for years and has much to lose in these elections.

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INSTRUCTIONS TO "REACT ACCORDINGLY"
--------------


12. (SBU) Koundara's Secretary General Mamadou Allou Diallo said
that Minister of Interior and Security (MIS) has instructed
prefectoral authorities to maintain peace. However, he said that
they do not have sufficient police and gendarmes to address any
issues that could arise in the event of extensive violence and/or
unrest. In separate meetings with Gendarmes Commander Harouna
Sangare and Police Commissioner Bangaly Deiakitate, both said
security is their job and that they will work to keep peace. Asked
about specific preparations for the elections, Mr. Deiakitate said
that he is recruiting additional police officers prior to the
election. Mr. Sangare said the Gendarmes are awaiting further
direction from MIS, but for now they have been instructed to "react
accordingly."

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


13. (SBU) When Asst Poloff askedthe Secretary General questions, he
seemed hesitnt to respond, often pausing to first glance at oters
present in the room, including advisors, govenment officials, civil
society, and CEPI. He apeared to verbally and nonverbally assert
his postion, and specifically, his control over the electons
process. The Secretary General's comment tht the prefectoral
authorities are in charge of elctions suggests that civil
organizations, includng the CEPI, are going to have to assert
themseles in order to fulfill their intended roles. The fct that
Mr. Hamidou also independently expressedhis concerns about the
Secretary General suggestsconcerns about government neutrality in
Koundara
END COMMENT.

CARTER