ETHNIC POLITICS IN GUINEA - YOUTH OF THE FOREST

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000631

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SOCI KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: ETHNIC POLITICS IN GUINEA - YOUTH OF THE FOREST
REGION

REF: A. CONAKRY 0600

B. CONAKRY 0602

C. CONAKRY 0607


1. (SBU) SUMMARY. This cable is the fourth in a series of
reports exploring the role of ethnicity in Guinean politics
(reftels). The youths of Guinea,s Forest Region appear to
be primarily focused on minor inter-tribal tensions within
their own region. Forest youth leaders downplayed broader
ethnic tensions in Guinea, claiming that any tensions fall
along regional divisions rather than ethnic divisions.
However, references to Sekou Toure,s regime and stereotypes
of the Peuhls and Malinkes suggest that ethnicity does play a
role. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) On October 15, Poloff met with Jacques Bonimy, the
president of an organization called &Coordination of the
Youth of the Forest Region.8 This group represents a
multitude of ethnicities living in the Forest Region, and
falls under the umbrella of the larger Council of Elders,
which includes ethnic organizations from each of Guinea,s
four natural regions. Bonimy is a university professor and
a member of the National Independent Electoral Commission
(CENI),representing the opposition Union for Guinean
Progress (UPG) party. (COMMENT. The UPG is led by
Jean-Marie Dore with people from the Forest Region forming
most of its political support. END COMMENT). Two members of
the organization,s executive bureau also actively
participated in the discussion.

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FOR CIVIL DEFENSE
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3. (SBU) Bonimy said that the &Forest Youth8 organization
was initially established in 2000 in response to conflict
spillover from neighboring Liberia and Sierra Leone.
According to Bonimy, rebel forces had crossed over into
Guinea and some Guineans had joined these forces, which was
contributing to inter-ethnic conflict in the region. Bonimy
said the organization,s role is to facilitate communication
and cooperation within the Forest Region, although it
initially helped mobilize a civil defense against foreign
aggression. After the wars were over, Bonimy said the Forest
Youth stopped meeting regularly. &However, after the 2007
strikes, we relaunched our activities,8 he said.


4. (SBU) The Forest Youth,s executive bureau includes 16
members representing the seven prefectures of the Forest
Region. The youth leaders could not estimate the
organization,s total membership, although they said that
most Forest-based youth organizations fall under their
regional organization. Bonimy said that the Forest Youth
meet once a month in Conakry. During the meetings,
participants reportedly discuss ongoing conflict resolution
issues between smaller Forest tribes, the need for national
peace and reconciliation, and ways to harmonize various
activities. Bonimy said that the organization occasionally
holds General Assemblies, which routinely attract more than
200 participants.


5. (SBU) When asked whether the organization discusses
political issues, the youth leaders said that they &discuss
anything that impacts the Forest Region, which includes
politics.8 As an example, Bonimy said that the Forest
Region,s poor infrastructure and deteriorating road system
are frequent topics of discussion. In addition, Bonimy said
that the Forest Youth are hoping to set up regular exchanges
with current political leaders who are originally from the
Forest Region.

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GUINEA,S PROBLEM IS REGIONAL, NOT ETHNIC
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6. (SBU) Poloff asked if the youth leaders think there is an
ethnic problem in Guinea. Bonimy at first hesitated,
thoughtful, and then said &yes, there are some small ethnic
problems.8 However, he clarified that he did not think
Guinea has a national ethnic problem, but rather, sources of
tension between the four natural regions, as well as tensions
between small tribes within the Forest Region. Bonimy said
that although the four regions are tied to ethnic bases,
their populations are actually quite diverse because of
extensive inter-marrying and migration. Furthermore, Bonimy
said that the linkages are more lingual than truly ethnic.
He pointed to Middle Guinea, which is predominantly Peuhl, as
an example, saying that people of many different ethnic

CONAKRY 00000631 002 OF 002


backgrounds are living in the region, but are united because
they all speak Pular.


7. (SBU) While Bonimy said that ethnic tensions are not a
significant problem, there is some degree of tension between
the natural regions, and especially between Middle Guinea
(Peuhl) and Upper Guinea (Malinke). He attributed these
tensions to economic disparities, commenting that Upper
Guinea is one of the poorest parts of the country while
Middle Guinea is better off because it is a major commercial
center.

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BUT ETHNICITY PLAYS A ROLE
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8. (SBU) One of Bonimy,s colleagues said that the current
tensions exist because everyone is fighting for power
according to their individual interests. &The Soussous
still end up with most of the important positions,8 she
said, &and many Peuhls feel that it should be their turn
since the Malinkes and the Soussous have already had their
turn as president.8


9. (SBU) Bonimy referred to Sekou Toure,s regime, pointing
out that while many people were killed under Sekou Toure,
Peuhls were targeted more than other ethnic groups. He said
that some Peuhls blame the Malinkes for these deaths because
Sekou Toure was Malinke. Bonimy added that groups like Haal
Pular are actively perpetuating this sentiment, especially
among the country,s youth. At the same time, Bonimy said
that the Malinkes perceives the Peuhls as being against them,
and therefore, react accordingly. Exacerbating the problem,
according to Bonimy, is the fact that the Peuhls are
wealthier and there is some degree of jealousy.


10. (SBU) Using Conakry,s main open air market, Marche
Medina, as an example, Bonimy said that the market vendors
are almost exclusively Peuhl or Malinke. &Only about 1 in
100 vendors is from the Forest,8 he said. He noted that one
section of the market is occupied predominantly by Peuhls,
and the other section by Malinkes. &Everyone knows that the
Malinkes sell the small motor parts and the Peuhls sell
everything else,8 he said.

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NEED TO COLLABORATE WITH OTHERS
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11. (SBU) When asked about collaboration with the other
ethnic youth organizations, Bonimy said that the Forest Group
maintains contact with other youth leaders, but that the
groups do not meet together often. &We need to get together
more frequently,8 he told Poloff.

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COMMENT
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12. (SBU) The Forest Youth appear to be primarily focused on
internal conflict issues, which have been a problem in the
region for several years. Although Bonimy claimed that
existing tensions are not exclusively ethnic in nature, his
comments throughout the discussion suggest that ethnicity is
a key concern. It is interesting to note that the Forest
Youth is supposed to be an apolitical organization, but that
its president is in fact a high level opposition party member
serving on the CENI. END COMMENT.
RASPOLIC