DEMONSTRATORS TAKE TO THE STREETS IN CONAKRY

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000663

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PGOV KDEM GV
SUBJECT: DEMONSTRATORS TAKE TO THE STREETS IN CONAKRY


1. (SBU) SUMMARY. Following a spontaneous demonstration
that started around 12:30 AM last night, there have been
several similar demonstrations throughout the capital city
this morning. Demonstrators are reportedly protesting the
GoG's failure to lower the price of fuel as expected (see
septel). Police and gendarmes have been responding to
trouble areas, using tear gas and firing into the air to
disperse crowds. As of 11:00 AM, security forces had not yet
been able to successfully control all of the demonstration
points. Embassy convened an EAC (see septel),and continues
to monitor the situation. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) During the night of November 2 between 12:30am and
1:30am, isolated protests broke out along several main routes
in Conakry. Sources said that the demonstrators were
protesting gas prices (see septel),but recent action by the
Governor of Conakry to "clean up the city" by removing
merchants' street stands at intersections also exacerbated
the situation. According to contacts, a "large number" of
demonstrators barricaded the road with rocks and burning
tires at several points in between major intersections at
Bambeto Circle and Hamdallaye Circle, a predominantly Peuhl
neighborhood. RSO staff reported that between 50 and 60
police dispersed protestors at Bambeto Circle by firing into
the air and using tear gas. Police then deployed smaller
groups of officers at many key intersections and patrolled
main routes during the night.


3. The Governor of Conakry, who was just appointed to his
position a few weeks ago, was heard on national radio the
evening of November 2, advising parents to keep their
children home from school on Monday due to rumors of possible
protests related to fuel prices. The Director of the
American School decided to close in accordance with the
governor's message. Embassy parents independently decided to
keep children attending the French school and a private
pre-school home as well, although those schools reportedly
opened on schedule.


4. (SBU) Embassy staff reported seeing debris between
Bellevue Circle and Bambeto Circle, and along the cross-town
road from the airport to Bambeto Circle this morning. Almost
no taxis were on the roads, and several sources reported
heavy pedestrian traffic, especially at major intersections.


5. (SBU) This morning, demonstrations started flaring up
again around 7:30 AM, with reports of road blocks, rock
throwing, and tire burning in several different
neighborhoods. Police forces intervened in some areas to
restore order, using tear gas and firing guns into the air,
although the police did not cover all of the protests.
According to a military liaison, military officers had
gathered at Camp Samory Toure (located in downtown Conakry)
to organize a response. Contact reported that no one could
reach the Director General of the Police, prompting the
military to send out gendarmes to control the crowds. By
10:30 AM, there were reports of gendarmes deployed to several
trouble areas. Police and gendarmes dispersed the crowds in
key locations, using tear gas, but continued to restrict
traffic flow.


6. (SBU) An Embassy vehicle was damaged when a protestor
threw a rock and cracked the rear window. The vehicle was
transporting a TDY officer from a downtown hotel location to
the Embassy.


7. (SBU) As of 13:00, Embassy continued to receive reports
indicating that police and gendarmes were responding to
trouble areas, although demonstrations were still not under
control.


8. (SBU) COMMENT. The Embassy convened an EAC at 9:30 to
discuss the situation (reported septel) and will reconvene at
15:30, or earlier if necessary. END COMMENT.
RASPOLIC