CONTINUED RUMBLINGS OF DISCONTENT IN CONAKRY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000532

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2018
TAGS: ASEC PGOV KDEM GV
SUBJECT: CONTINUED RUMBLINGS OF DISCONTENT IN CONAKRY

REF: CONAKRY 0510

Classified By: A/DCM SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D


1. (C) SUMMARY. For nearly a week and a half, Conakry has
experienced a number of random, spontaneous demonstrations
throughout the city. Reportedly protesting a lack of
electricity, youths have been blocking major traffic
intersections at various times by throwing rocks and burning
tires. The anti-riot police have responded and dispersed
crowds quickly using tear gas. There appears to be a growing
sense of unease in the capital, but for the time being, these
demonstrations seem to represent generalized rumblings of
discontent in what continues to be a highly volatile
political situation. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) What appear to be spontaneous demonstrations have
become the norm in Conakry over the past ten days, with
random protests blocking major traffic intersections at least
once a day. The demonstrations have been attributed to
unorganized youths angry about the government's continued
failure to provide electricity and regular access to water.
Youths have resorted to rock throwing, tire burning, and in
some cases, burning of vehicles. Guinea's anti-riot police
have responded to the demonstrations quickly, using tear gas
to disperse crowds. Although the demonstrators tend to
scatter almost immediately, a new demonstration often pops up
in a different part of the city. These demonstrations have
occurred primarily in predominantly Fulani (Peuhl)
neighborhoods, with a few exceptions.


3. (SBU) Building on similar demonstrations last week
(reftel),Monday started off with renewed protests beginning
at about 9:30 at two major intersections. Towards noon,
protestors were burning tires on Castro Bridge, which
controls access to the downtown area. Anti-riot police had
responded to the scene with tear gas, and there were reports
of guns being fired into the air. The Charge, who was on his
way downtown for an USAID signing ceremony, was forced to
turn back as were several other Mission employees on official
business. After about an hour, the police had cleared the
bridge and traffic was reported to be moving at a slow crawl.


4. (SBU) Market women at Guinea's largest open air market,
Marche Medina, attacked a local police office Monday morning
after "volunteer" police officers reportedly destroyed some
of their market stalls the night before. According to
contacts, a confrontation ensued that lasted for at least an
hour. The local press reported that seven women and three
volunteer police were injured. (COMMENT. There are a number
of volunteer police officers, which are people in uniform who
have volunteered for police service, but have not been
officially hired. They do not receive a salary, and are
known for collecting their living off of the citizens they
are "policing." END COMMENT).


5. (SBU) As of 12:00 on September 15, Conakry has been
relatively quiet, although the heavy rains earlier this
morning may have deterred possible protestors. RSO LES
reported a gathering of a significant number of people, with
many of them carrying stones and cement blocks, earlier this
morning. However, the police reportedly responded quickly
and dispersed the crowd before the protest could get underway.


6. (C) The government continues to plead for calm and
patience. Although these demonstrations are commonly viewed
as spontaneous events, there appears to be a growing sense of
unease in the capital. Prominent youth leaders are planning
a massive youth movement to take place sometime in the next
month (septel) while government leaders have been handing out
cash to youth groups in an attempt to buy support and calm
the situation.


7. (C) The brother of the Mayor of Kaloum (located in
Conakry) called RSO LES and told him that the Minister
Secretary General of the Presidency, Alpha Ibrahima Keira,
had told the Mayor to be "cautious" over the next few days.
Keira had reportedly convened a meeting with a Captain Konate
(a newly appointed army officer) and Claude Pivi, who was
responsible for leading the military mutiny in May.
According to source, Keira discussed the president's "rapidly
ailing health."

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COMMENT
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8. (C) Guinea tends to experience brief spurts of increased
civil unrest with threats of a broader civil movement, but
then eventually returns to business as usual. At this point,

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it is unclear whether this period will be another of those
"spurts," or whether it will eventually manifest into
something bigger. A/DCM has already fielded questions from
concerned external observers this week, including a visiting
diplomat from the Canadian Embassy and an analyst with
International Crisis Group, both of whom are based in Dakar.
Both contacts essentially asked whether "there is anything to
worry about." For the time being, we are seeing what appear
to be generalized rumblings of discontent in what continues
to be a highly volatile political situation. END COMMENT.

BROKENSHIRE