ETHNIC POLITICS IN GUINEA - YOUTH OF COASTAL GUINEA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000652 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SOCI PGOV PREL ASEC GV SUBJECT: ETHNIC POLITICS IN GUINEA - YOUTH OF COASTAL GUINEA REF: A. CONAKRY 0600 ¶B. CONAKRY 0602 ¶C. CONAKRY 0607 ¶D. CONAKRY 0631 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. This cable is the fifth in a series of reports exploring the role of ethnicity in Guinean politics (reftels). Despite repeatedly affirming their neutrality and broad-based ethnic support, the youths of "Bas-Cote" were clearly pro-Conte and pro-Soussou. During a meeting with Poloff, they emphasized that the population is generally happy under President Conte and any indications to the contrary are the result of buy-offs from various political players looking to fulfill personal ambitions. The youth leaders agreed that GUINEA has an ethnic problem and implied that a Soussou leader is the only solution acceptable to all groups. They expressed support for a constitutional transition and claimed that the ruling Party for Unity and Progress will win a clear majority if legislative elections take place. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) Poloff met with Ibrahima Souare, President of an organization called "Coordination of the Youths of Bas-Cote (Lower Coast)" on October 15. One of the four regional organizations under the larger umbrella of the Council of Elders, the "Bas-Cote" is seen as an ethnic association comprised primarily of Soussous. Souare was accompanied by two members of the organization's executive bureau. ¶3. (SBU) Souare defined Bas-Cote as a regional organization representing all ethnic groups in GUINEA since members of all ethnic groups live in Lower Guinea. "We want GUINEA to be peaceful and that is why we make sure everyone is represented," he said. Souare told Poloff that he and others had officially created the youth arm of the Bas-Cote organization in the aftermath of the 2007 labor strikes and civil unrest. He claimed to have more than 6000 registered members with an office in every neighborhood district in Conakry. Souare said that Bas-Cote meets once a week to discuss a wide range of current issues, including politics, and that the meetings routinely attract more than 700 participants. -------------- THE LEADERSHIP PROBLEM -------------- ¶4. (SBU) According to the Bas-Cote youth leaders, Guinea's biggest problem is leadership. Souare said that everyone wants power, which is encouraging individuals to align themselves according to their fQ@Qi8-QpH!qQQ'k= identities, and generational beliefs. For Souare, these divisions date back to practices under Sekou Toure's regime, which were later continued under President Conte. He said that political leaders actively used ethnicity to play different groups off of each other, ignoring the specific concerns of individual groups. "We need to nationally reconcile these issues," Souare said. -------------- CONTE IS NOT THE ISSUE -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Although he initially mentioned President Conte, he later emphasized that Conte is not the problem, but that opposition political leaders continue to be the most divisive, using ethnicity to advance individual interests. "The opposition is not here to help us and we cannot allow them to manipulate the youths," Souare said. When discussing the 2007 strikes, Souare said that opposition leaders intentionally tried to destabilize the political situation in order to overthrow President Conte. "They were responsible for the military's killing of youths," he added. ¶6. (SBU) Souare also mentioned former Prime Minister Lansana wQQ,o President Conte, Souare proudly claimed that he went directly to Conte and demanded that he fire Kouyate immediately. According to Souare, Kouyate was fired a few days later. ¶7. (SBU) One of Souare's colleagues spoke up and agreed that President Conte's entourage is the problem, not Conte himself. "Most people are content," she said, "and if they say otherwise it is because they are being manipulated by a political actor." Referring to Conte's declining health, she noted that "only God can decide when it is time for him to go." Her colleagues chimed in and said that GUINEA would not face any significant political crisis if Conte should die CONAKRY 00000652 002 OF 002 because the country has a solid constitutional process in place. "His illness is irrelevant," Souare noted, adding "the law is clear; the president of the National Assembly is Conte's constitutional successor and no one should have a problem with that since he is a Guinean elected to serve in that office." -------------- ETHNIC BALANCE IS KEY -------------- ¶8. (SBU) When asked if GUINEA has an ethnic problem, Souare emphatically answered "yes, absolutely." He said that the main tensions are between the two larger groups, the Peuhls and the Malinkes. "It is going to be very difficult for any other ethnic group to govern this country if the Soussous are not supporting the candidate," he said. Souare pointed to Kouyate's decision making as an example of how ethnic politics undermined the consensus government from the beginning. Souare noted that Kouyate's appointments were not ethnically balanced, which created discord among the various ethnic groups, ultimately leading to his demise. ¶9. (SBU) Turning to Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Souare, the youth leader said that "everything is balanced; Souare is a good prime minister." He added that President Conte consulted widely before appointing Souare and his cabinet in order to avoid ethnic tensions. Referring to rumors that Conte may soon replace PM Souare, the youth leader said "the president told me personally that he would not do anything without talking to me first." -------------- RULING PARTY WILL WIN ELECTIONS -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Poloff asked about the country's postponed legislative elections and whether any one political party will be able to win a clear majority. Souare said that the ruling Party for Unity and Progress (PUP) is the biggest and most influential party, with strong representation throughout the country. He added that the PUP encompasses all ethnic groups. "If we have elections, there is no question that the PUP will win," he said. -------------- MINIMAL COORDINATION -------------- ¶11. (SBU) When asked about coordination with the other ethnic youth associations, Souare said that they occasionally meet together to discuss mutual interests such as the recent national celebration of 50 years of independence. However, he later told Poloff "Bas-Cote is the only group that is well organized." -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶12. (SBU) Like other youth groups, leaders of Bas-Cote claimed absolute neutrality. However, they were obviously pro-Conte and pro-Soussou. Although he did not state it specifically, Souare seemed to imply that a Soussou would be the only acceptable candidate for president since the Malinkes would not support a Peuhl president, and vice versa. In many ways, the discussion with Souare echoed similar discussions with PUP party leaders, First Lady Henriette Conte, and some high-level government officials, all of whom are staunch Conte supporters. Souare seemed to see himself as a prominent player with close ties to the ruling elite, and believed that whatever happens, the Soussous will continue to be the most powerful group in Guinea. When Poloff pointed out that numerous Embassy contacts routinely cite widespread popular dissatisfaction with the current government, Souare insisted that Guineans are happy with President Conte and do not say otherwise until someone pays them to do so. END COMMENT. RASPOLIC