Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CONAKRY464
2008-08-25 17:08:00
SECRET
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
CHANTAL COLLE REPORTEDLY RETURNS TO GUINEA
how-toVZCZCXRO8155 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHRY #0464 2381708 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 251708Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2851 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
S E C R E T CONAKRY 000464
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2018
TAGS: PGOV ASEC KDEM GV
SUBJECT: CHANTAL COLLE REPORTEDLY RETURNS TO GUINEA
REF: CONAKRY 00023
Classified By: A/DCM SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D
S E C R E T CONAKRY 000464
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2018
TAGS: PGOV ASEC KDEM GV
SUBJECT: CHANTAL COLLE REPORTEDLY RETURNS TO GUINEA
REF: CONAKRY 00023
Classified By: A/DCM SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D
1. (SBU) Five months after having been stripped of her
Guinean passport and then deported, close presidential
confidant Mme Chantal Colle reportedly returned to Guinea via
Air France from Paris on August 22, according to multiple
sources. Colle had left the country under armed escort on
March 19 by order of the former Minister of Interior and
Security, Beau Keita (reftel). Her unexpected March 18
arrest and immediate deportation fueled widespread debate in
the Guinean press for several weeks.
2. (S) Sensitive reporting later suggested that First Lady
Henriette Conte may have played a role in Colle's deportation
because of Colle's alleged past intimate relationship with
the president, and because Colle may have been trying to
influence the president's political decisions. Colle is
considered a close friend of the former Minister Secretary
General of the Presidency, Fode Bangorah, as well as the
recently fired Chief of Protocol Idrissa Thiam. At the time,
sources suggested that Colle had been trying to push through
a presidential decree to replace Sam Soumah, the former
Secretary General of the Presidency, with Fode Bangorah.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
3. (S) A series of recent shake-ups within the Guinean
Government suggest that a number of different political
players are jockeying for the seat next to the president in
order to influence the decisions coming out of the
presidential palace. Chantal Colle's return is likely
another iteration of these maneuverings. The fact that she
chose to return while Henriette Conte is out of the country
on a religious pilgrimage is worth noting. Also of note is
the fact that Idrissa Thiam made several trips to Paris over
the last few months during which it is rumored that he
visited Colle. END COMMENT.
BROKENSHIRE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2018
TAGS: PGOV ASEC KDEM GV
SUBJECT: CHANTAL COLLE REPORTEDLY RETURNS TO GUINEA
REF: CONAKRY 00023
Classified By: A/DCM SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D
1. (SBU) Five months after having been stripped of her
Guinean passport and then deported, close presidential
confidant Mme Chantal Colle reportedly returned to Guinea via
Air France from Paris on August 22, according to multiple
sources. Colle had left the country under armed escort on
March 19 by order of the former Minister of Interior and
Security, Beau Keita (reftel). Her unexpected March 18
arrest and immediate deportation fueled widespread debate in
the Guinean press for several weeks.
2. (S) Sensitive reporting later suggested that First Lady
Henriette Conte may have played a role in Colle's deportation
because of Colle's alleged past intimate relationship with
the president, and because Colle may have been trying to
influence the president's political decisions. Colle is
considered a close friend of the former Minister Secretary
General of the Presidency, Fode Bangorah, as well as the
recently fired Chief of Protocol Idrissa Thiam. At the time,
sources suggested that Colle had been trying to push through
a presidential decree to replace Sam Soumah, the former
Secretary General of the Presidency, with Fode Bangorah.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
3. (S) A series of recent shake-ups within the Guinean
Government suggest that a number of different political
players are jockeying for the seat next to the president in
order to influence the decisions coming out of the
presidential palace. Chantal Colle's return is likely
another iteration of these maneuverings. The fact that she
chose to return while Henriette Conte is out of the country
on a religious pilgrimage is worth noting. Also of note is
the fact that Idrissa Thiam made several trips to Paris over
the last few months during which it is rumored that he
visited Colle. END COMMENT.
BROKENSHIRE