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.

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COMMENT
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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