YOUTH CREATE NEW OPPOSITION POLITICAL PARTY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000571 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/30/2018 TAGS: KDEM PGOV PREL GV SUBJECT: YOUTH CREATE NEW OPPOSITION POLITICAL PARTY REF: A. CONAKRY 565 ¶B. CONAKRY 538 ¶C. CONAKRY 520 ¶D. CONAKRY 525 Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. A recently established political party for youth, the NFD, claims to have already issued more than 1000 membership cards in just a little over a month. The party is led by a respected civil society youth leader turned politician who played a prominent role in the 2007 tripartite negotiations. Party leaders appear to be looking to enter Guinea,s crowded political scene in a big way, aiming to win one quarter of the seats in the National Assembly. This new political party may be a political manifestation of youths, ongoing efforts to coalesce and find a common voice. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) On September 18, Poloff met with Mouctar Diallo, the president of the newly registered opposition political party New Democratic Forces (NFD). According to Diallo, the party submitted its initial paperwork in January 2008 and was formally recognized by the Guinean Government on May 22 just before Prime Minister Souare appointed his new cabinet. The NFD organized a ceremony on August 9 to officially launch the party. ¶3. (SBU) Before turning to the political arena, Mouctar Diallo served as the representative for youth within the National Council of Civil Society Organizations, the umbrella association of Guinean civil society groups. During the strikes in 2007, he was widely perceived as a prominent and outspoken youth leader who actively participated in the tripartite negotiations. Diallo told Poloff that he continues to work closely with youth leaders from a wide range of civil society organizations, and that his party was created specifically to address youth interests. ¶4. (SBU) According to Diallo, various youth leaders agreed that Guinea,s youth are increasingly marginalized from the political process while extreme poverty and weak governance continue to undermine Guinea,s potential wealth and prosperity. Arguing that none of the existing political parties (of which there are at least 49) effectively represent youth interests, the young leaders decided to create their own party. Diallo added that the other opposition parties are too closely tied to ethnicity and the youths wanted to create a political party that would be ethnically balanced. ¶5. (SBU) When asked about the party,s outreach into the interior, Diallo said that the party currently has a point of contact in almost all of the country,s 33 prefectures, and that they are working to set up official party representatives. According to Diallo, the party has already sold over 1000 membership cards in Conakry alone since they launched a little over one month ago. Diallo added that they have been receiving numerous phone calls from all over the country, as well as from Guineans living abroad, expressing support for the party. ¶6. (SBU) &Many people see us as a welcome alternative,8 Diallo told Poloff. He emphasized that the party has worked to avoid ethnocentrism, which has made it attractive to a wide range of people. Diallo, a Peuhl, acknowledged however, that the party claims more Peuhl members than members from other ethnic groups, explaining that &the Peuhls are more numerous in Guinea so it is normal for us to have more Peuhl members.8 ¶7. (C) With respect to an underground youth movement for change (reftels),Diallo said that he is &informed8 and has been quietly involved in the movement behind the scenes. &People wanted me to help lead the movement, but because of my political affiliation, I saw it as a conflict of interest,8 he said. Diallo added &I am not visible in the movement, but I participate and I try to influence ) the country must change, we cannot continue like this.8 ¶8. (SBU) Diallo said that the NFD plans to fully participate in Guinea,s delayed legislative elections, and that they are hoping to win about one quarter of the seats in the National Assembly. When asked about decision making mechanisms within the party, Diallo emphasized that the NFD is inherently democratic. &Just because I am president does not mean that I will automatically be a candidate in the elections,8 he said. Diallo pointed out that the party plans to hold a national congress in November in order to develop its candidate list and prepare for elections. CONAKRY 00000571 002 OF 002 -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Mouctar Diallo,s name has come up frequently in recent Poloff discussions involving key youth leaders. He has been described positively and with respect as an eloquent speaker with strong leadership skills. These comments have come from contacts of various ethnic backgrounds. With several strong opposition parties already on the scene, the NFD may have a tough time breaking into the political arena. At the same time, the youth have the potential to be a powerful force for change, but their biggest challenge continues to be their failure to coalesce and find a common voice. For the NFD, adequate financing will be critical to getting their message out although support from the Guinean Diaspora may help them out in this regard. Mouctar Diallo may be someone to watch in the months ahead. END COMMENT. RASPOLIC