NEW PRIME MINISTER FINALLY SPEAKS

C O N F I D E N T I A L CONAKRY 000326 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2018 TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL ASEC GV SUBJECT: NEW PRIME MINISTER FINALLY SPEAKS REF: CONAKRY 0306 Classified By: A/DCM SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. Following the cabinet announcement last week, Prime Minister Souare addressed the public for the first time on June 24, wherein he vaguely discussed his political agenda. Much of Souare's speech was basic rhetoric that lacked substantive depth. His priorities appear to be national reconciliation, youth employment, and local development. National elections barely made the bottom of the list. As this government begins to take shape, we are seeing a bloated bureaucracy in the face of severe budgetary constraints, and what comes off as a weakly defined vision on the part of the PM. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) More than a month after having been sworn in as Guinea's new prime minister, Dr. Ahmed Tidiane Souare finally issued a public declaration to the population. His speech aired on national radio, and was published on an internet news site (Guinee24.com) on June 24. Perhaps coincidentally, Souare's speech followed a June 19 meeting with Ambassador Carter wherein the Ambassador stressed the importance of an effective public relations campaign (reftel). ¶3. (U) Souare initially focused on the recent problems that have plagued Guinea, including the military mutiny, the teachers' strike, and police issues. He also expressed "sadness" for the resulting victims and material destruction. In response to these issues, Souare said that he plans to establish a national ad hoc commission, under his direct authority, to resolve social issues before they become social conflicts. ¶4. (U) Turning to his activities over the past month, Souare detailed the extensive consultations he has had with various sectors of society, including political parties, labor unions, republican institutions, the National Assembly, and civil society. He said that the consultations have provided him with a rich understanding of the issues facing the country. ¶5. (U) The PM commented on his decision to restructure the government, opining that such a decision inherently reflects his political approach. He said that the addition of certain ministries, notably the Ministry for Reconciliation and Solidarity, the Ministry for the Promotion of Youth Employment, and the Ministry of Decentralization and Local Development, demonstrate his political priorities. (COMMENT. The PM also stressed the importance of these same ministries to the Ambassador during the June 19 meeting. END COMMENT). Affirming these points later in the speech, Souare said that his key objective is to "reconcile our nation with itself." ¶6. (U) In order to achieve "reconciliation," Souare said that the GoG must establish strong political and social governance in a democratic environment. It was in this context that he briefly mentioned free and transparent elections. He also commented on the need for strong economic governance, including macro-economic stability, a favorable investment climate, reduced corruption, priority attention to agriculture, and infrastructure investment. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶7. (C) Souare's speech lacked substantive depth. His priorities were vaguely defined, and there was no mention of concrete measures or programs to achieve his objectives. This same lack of vision was also evident during the June 19 meeting with the Ambassador. Souare has had more than a month to think about what he wants to do, but his speech sounded more like the one he might be expected to make immediately after taking office - lots of rhetoric coupled with promises to find solutions. The fact that elections were mentioned only in passing validates concerns about this government's political will to hold legislative elections later this year. END COMMENT. CARTER