Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CONAKRY457
2008-08-21 15:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
PRESIDENT APPOINTS PRESIDENTIAL ADVISORS
how-toVZCZCXRO5971 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHRY #0457/01 2341543 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 211543Z AUG 08 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2842 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 SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000457
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/21/2018
TAGS: PGOV KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT APPOINTS PRESIDENTIAL ADVISORS
REF: A. CONAKRY 0424
B. CONAKRY 0447
Classified By: A/DCM SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D
SUMMARY. (SBU) Over the August 20 evening news on Radio
Television Guinean (RTG),the Government of Guinea announced
a series of political appointments within the Office of the
Presidency. Most of these positions have existed for some
time, but a number of them have been vacant over the past few
years. A contact at the Ministry of Finance told Pol LES
that the president's budget will cover these positions. The
political significance of these appointments is unclear, but
they suggest further power plays within the presidency as
different camps of influence continue to battle for position
in anticipation of an eventual power vacuum. END SUMMARY.
2. (U) The GoG has not yet released the complete list of
appointments, but those that have been identified are listed
below. When known, additional biographic information is
provided.
3. (U) Soriba Sorel Camara (Soussou),Political Advisor of
the Presidency
--------------
Camara is a member of the executive bureau of the ruling
Party for Unity and Progress (PUP) and a sitting deputy in
the National Assembly. As the PUP's secretary general for
youth (although he is well over 50 years old),Camara has
been widely heard on Radio Familia in recent weeks promoting
the party in general, and reinforcing the message that the
PUP remains a strong party committed to advancing the
interests of Guinea's youth. Camara will have to resign from
the National Assembly in order to accept the presidential
appointment.
4. (U) Mounjour Cheriff (Malinke),Judicial Advisor of the
Presidency
--------------
Cheriff was previously serving as a state prosecutor in
Conakry. He is considered a good contact of the Embassy's
and has participated in U.S. visitor programs. Embassy legal
cases are frequently referred to his court.
5. (U) Mamadouba Sylla (Soussou),Director General of Major
Projects
--------------
In the 1990s, Sylla was the National Director of the GoG's
Tax Revenue Office. During that time, his deputy was
arrested and convicted on embezzlement charges. His deputy
then turned around and pointed a finger at Sylla, resulting
in Sylla's arrest and a several month long period of
incarceration. Sylla was eventually released and the charges
dropped. At one point, Sylla also served as the Director
General of the Port of Conakry for about a year. Sylla is
considered to be close to Kadiatou Set, President Conte's
second wife.
6. (U) Ousmane Camara (Soussou),Security Advisor
--------------
Camara formerly served as the Ministry of Interior in the
government immediately preceding the January 2007 civil
unrest and subsequent installation of the consensus
government under former Prime Minister Kouyate. In the past,
he has served as the governor of Boke and of Conakry. During
his tenure as the governor of Conakry, he reportedly gave
opposition parties a difficult time during national
elections, refusing to allow them to meet.
7. (U) Mamadou Malal Diallo (Peuhl),Economic Counselor of
the Presidency
8. (U) Maitre Marthos (Peuhl),Judicial Agent of the State
9. (U) Seck Den (ethnicity unknown),Responsible for
Patrimonial Buildings (i.e. the Presidential Palace, official
presidential residences, etc.)
10. (U) Moris Mara (Malinke),Administrator for the People's
Palace
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
11. (C) The political significance of these appointments is
unclear. In the recent past, any advisors within the
presidency were overshadowed by former Secretary of Protocol
Idrissa Thiam and former Secretary General of the Presidency
Sam Soumah, both of whom were controversially dismissed
CONAKRY 00000457 002 OF 002
earlier this month (reftel A). The fact that the presidency
is now moving to fill these positions raises questions about
what role these individuals will play within an increasingly
complex political dynamic. For example, if the president
already has a prime minister and a minister for territorial
administration and political affairs, a presidential
political advisor seems unnecessary. These appointments
follow quickly on the heels of the latest presidential
decree, which appears to give a significant power boost to
the new Minister Secretary General of the Presidency, Alpha
Ibrahima Keira, at the expense of the prime minister's
perceived influence (reftel B).
BROKENSHIRE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/21/2018
TAGS: PGOV KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT APPOINTS PRESIDENTIAL ADVISORS
REF: A. CONAKRY 0424
B. CONAKRY 0447
Classified By: A/DCM SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D
SUMMARY. (SBU) Over the August 20 evening news on Radio
Television Guinean (RTG),the Government of Guinea announced
a series of political appointments within the Office of the
Presidency. Most of these positions have existed for some
time, but a number of them have been vacant over the past few
years. A contact at the Ministry of Finance told Pol LES
that the president's budget will cover these positions. The
political significance of these appointments is unclear, but
they suggest further power plays within the presidency as
different camps of influence continue to battle for position
in anticipation of an eventual power vacuum. END SUMMARY.
2. (U) The GoG has not yet released the complete list of
appointments, but those that have been identified are listed
below. When known, additional biographic information is
provided.
3. (U) Soriba Sorel Camara (Soussou),Political Advisor of
the Presidency
--------------
Camara is a member of the executive bureau of the ruling
Party for Unity and Progress (PUP) and a sitting deputy in
the National Assembly. As the PUP's secretary general for
youth (although he is well over 50 years old),Camara has
been widely heard on Radio Familia in recent weeks promoting
the party in general, and reinforcing the message that the
PUP remains a strong party committed to advancing the
interests of Guinea's youth. Camara will have to resign from
the National Assembly in order to accept the presidential
appointment.
4. (U) Mounjour Cheriff (Malinke),Judicial Advisor of the
Presidency
--------------
Cheriff was previously serving as a state prosecutor in
Conakry. He is considered a good contact of the Embassy's
and has participated in U.S. visitor programs. Embassy legal
cases are frequently referred to his court.
5. (U) Mamadouba Sylla (Soussou),Director General of Major
Projects
--------------
In the 1990s, Sylla was the National Director of the GoG's
Tax Revenue Office. During that time, his deputy was
arrested and convicted on embezzlement charges. His deputy
then turned around and pointed a finger at Sylla, resulting
in Sylla's arrest and a several month long period of
incarceration. Sylla was eventually released and the charges
dropped. At one point, Sylla also served as the Director
General of the Port of Conakry for about a year. Sylla is
considered to be close to Kadiatou Set, President Conte's
second wife.
6. (U) Ousmane Camara (Soussou),Security Advisor
--------------
Camara formerly served as the Ministry of Interior in the
government immediately preceding the January 2007 civil
unrest and subsequent installation of the consensus
government under former Prime Minister Kouyate. In the past,
he has served as the governor of Boke and of Conakry. During
his tenure as the governor of Conakry, he reportedly gave
opposition parties a difficult time during national
elections, refusing to allow them to meet.
7. (U) Mamadou Malal Diallo (Peuhl),Economic Counselor of
the Presidency
8. (U) Maitre Marthos (Peuhl),Judicial Agent of the State
9. (U) Seck Den (ethnicity unknown),Responsible for
Patrimonial Buildings (i.e. the Presidential Palace, official
presidential residences, etc.)
10. (U) Moris Mara (Malinke),Administrator for the People's
Palace
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
11. (C) The political significance of these appointments is
unclear. In the recent past, any advisors within the
presidency were overshadowed by former Secretary of Protocol
Idrissa Thiam and former Secretary General of the Presidency
Sam Soumah, both of whom were controversially dismissed
CONAKRY 00000457 002 OF 002
earlier this month (reftel A). The fact that the presidency
is now moving to fill these positions raises questions about
what role these individuals will play within an increasingly
complex political dynamic. For example, if the president
already has a prime minister and a minister for territorial
administration and political affairs, a presidential
political advisor seems unnecessary. These appointments
follow quickly on the heels of the latest presidential
decree, which appears to give a significant power boost to
the new Minister Secretary General of the Presidency, Alpha
Ibrahima Keira, at the expense of the prime minister's
perceived influence (reftel B).
BROKENSHIRE