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



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COMMENT
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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