PRESIDENT RESHUFFLES SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE POSITIONS

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000509 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL ASEC GV SUBJECT: PRESIDENT RESHUFFLES SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE POSITIONS ¶1. (U) In a decree released August 27, President Conte appointed over 200 civil servants to senior level positions throughout the government. Some of the appointments represent lateral transfers while others bring back former government officials. Beginning with the prime minister's office and touching nearly all of the GoG's 36 ministries, the appointments include senior policy advisors, secretary generals, and chiefs of cabinet. ¶2. (SBU) A number of contacts have commented on the appointments as a "return of the regime." The appointments list includes several former prefects and governors, some of whom were removed from office by former Prime Minister Kouyate when he was trying to bring in more "neutral" local government officials. Many of the appointees are perceived as staunch PUP loyalists (ruling Party for Unity and Progress). -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Former PM Kouyate was frequently criticized over his failure to push through senior civil service appointments after initially appointing his cabinet. PM Souare managed to do it just a few short weeks after Alpha Ibrahima Keira was appointed Minister Secretary General of the Presidency. Citizens are skeptical of the new group, but some contacts are open to the changes. For example, there's a new Secretary General at the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Political affairs, replacing a 15 year veteran who was responsible for organizing all of Guinea's past elections, which were widely seen as fraudulent. END COMMENT. BROKENSHIRE