Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CONAKRY446
2008-08-19 15:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
CONTE CRONY AND FORMER KEY OFFICIAL THROWN IN JAIL
how-toVZCZCXRO3994 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHRY #0446 2321523 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 191523Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2830 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L CONAKRY 000446
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2018
TAGS: PGOV KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: CONTE CRONY AND FORMER KEY OFFICIAL THROWN IN JAIL
REF: A. CONAKRY 0424
B. CONAKRY 0420
Classified By: A/DCM SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D
C O N F I D E N T I A L CONAKRY 000446
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2018
TAGS: PGOV KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: CONTE CRONY AND FORMER KEY OFFICIAL THROWN IN JAIL
REF: A. CONAKRY 0424
B. CONAKRY 0420
Classified By: A/DCM SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D
1. (SBU) Multiple Embassy sources have confirmed an August
19 internet news report (Guinee24.com) that the former
Secretary General of the Presidency, Sam Soumah, has been
arrested and is being detained at the military prison PM3. A
contact at the Bureau of Customs told Pol LES over the
telephone that he had stopped by PM3 earlier this morning and
personally seen Soumah sitting alone in a small room watching
television. He mentioned that Soumah was not actually in a
prison cell, but rather in a room with a door that Soumah
could open at will. Contact, who claims to have known Soumah
for a number of years, said that he shook Soumah's hand and
that Soumah appeared "very low."
2. (SBU) The internet news article reports that Soumah was
arrested for embezzlement of public funds, and specifically,
500 million francs CFA (more than $1.1 million) that Senegal
gave to the Government of Guinea to support the country's
upcoming celebration of fifty years of independence. A
gendarme contact confirmed the charges and said that Soumah
"confessed to the crime and was ordered to pay back the
entire amount" in order to be released from prison. A police
source told Pol LES that Soumah had been arrested on drug
charges.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
3. (C) Soumah has long been seen as one of the
"untouchables" of Conte's regime. Earlier in the year, the
French Ambassador told then DCM that the president would
never dismiss Soumah. However, Soumah's recent sacking and
apparent arrest, if it sticks, indicates that the only
constant in Guinea's government continues to be the president
himself. Soumah's fall from grace also suggests that another
camp of influence may be emerging (see also septel on new
presidential decree). It is unclear as to what the actual
charges are, but the case is likely to be high profile in the
weeks ahead. END COMMENT.
BROKENSHIRE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2018
TAGS: PGOV KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: CONTE CRONY AND FORMER KEY OFFICIAL THROWN IN JAIL
REF: A. CONAKRY 0424
B. CONAKRY 0420
Classified By: A/DCM SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D
1. (SBU) Multiple Embassy sources have confirmed an August
19 internet news report (Guinee24.com) that the former
Secretary General of the Presidency, Sam Soumah, has been
arrested and is being detained at the military prison PM3. A
contact at the Bureau of Customs told Pol LES over the
telephone that he had stopped by PM3 earlier this morning and
personally seen Soumah sitting alone in a small room watching
television. He mentioned that Soumah was not actually in a
prison cell, but rather in a room with a door that Soumah
could open at will. Contact, who claims to have known Soumah
for a number of years, said that he shook Soumah's hand and
that Soumah appeared "very low."
2. (SBU) The internet news article reports that Soumah was
arrested for embezzlement of public funds, and specifically,
500 million francs CFA (more than $1.1 million) that Senegal
gave to the Government of Guinea to support the country's
upcoming celebration of fifty years of independence. A
gendarme contact confirmed the charges and said that Soumah
"confessed to the crime and was ordered to pay back the
entire amount" in order to be released from prison. A police
source told Pol LES that Soumah had been arrested on drug
charges.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
3. (C) Soumah has long been seen as one of the
"untouchables" of Conte's regime. Earlier in the year, the
French Ambassador told then DCM that the president would
never dismiss Soumah. However, Soumah's recent sacking and
apparent arrest, if it sticks, indicates that the only
constant in Guinea's government continues to be the president
himself. Soumah's fall from grace also suggests that another
camp of influence may be emerging (see also septel on new
presidential decree). It is unclear as to what the actual
charges are, but the case is likely to be high profile in the
weeks ahead. END COMMENT.
BROKENSHIRE