RIOTS IN BOKE OVER THE WEEKEND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000664

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PGOV GV
SUBJECT: RIOTS IN BOKE OVER THE WEEKEND

REF: CONAKRY 0651


1. (SBU) SUMMARY. There were prolonged riots in Boke over
the weekend after negotiations between the GoG and the local
population failed to produce an acceptable agreement.
Rioters attacked buildings owned by prominent government
officials and one youth was killed when security forces
intervened to restore order. President Conte visited the
region on November 2 with a contingent of soldiers,
reportedly chastising the local elders for failing to
"control the youths." As of Monday morning, the city was
calm and people were going about business as usual. END
SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) Negotiations between the GoG, the Guinean Bauxite
Company (CBG),and the local population in the Boke region
reportedly failed on October 31, sparking large-scale,
violent demonstrations throughout the regional capital city
(also called Boke) over the weekend. The continued lack of
reliable electrical power and access to potable water has
sparked numerous protests over the past few months. The
local population had been threatening renewed protest
activity if the GoG did not take action by October 31
(reftel).


3. (SBU) Youths took to the streets in Boke on October 31,
erecting road and railroad barricades. Early in the evening,
rioters destroyed a building owned by controversial
millionaire Mamadou Syllah, who had been attempting to broker
an agreement between the various parties. The GoG evacuated
Syllah to Conakry by helicopter. Rioters also attacked the
private residence of the president of the National Assembly,
Aboubacar Sompare. However, Sompare's neighbors reportedly
intervened and prevented the rioters from completely
destroying the property, although they made off with some
stolen loot. Both Syllah and Sompare are prominent citizens
originally from Boke, who are closely identified with the
current regime and the ruling Party for Unity and Progress
(PUP).


4. (SBU) According to a contact within the local electoral
commission, one youth was killed when security forces
intervened to restore order. Initial reports indicated that
a woman and an infant were killed, but were later determined
to be inaccurate.


5. (SBU) President Conte skipped the army's 50th anniversary
celebration (septel),instead traveling to Boke with a convoy
of four trucks of soldiers. According to several sources,
Conte met with the local Council of Elders in order to "calm
the situation." The president reportedly told the elders
that he held them personally responsible for the actions of
the region's youth, chastising them for not keeping their
children under control. Sources also said that Conte told
them that was particularly disappointed that such behavior
was taking place in Boke, a region in which he did not
"expect to be contradicted." (COMMENT. Boke is
predominantly Soussou and several Conte allies are from the
region, including First Lady Henriette Conte. END COMMENT).



6. (SBU) As of Monday morning, local contacts reported that
the situation in Boke is calm. The railroad is clear and CBG
is operating normally. Civil society leaders are reportedly
demanding the release of four youths being held by local
authorities. Contacts said that the local Council of Elders
are talking to youth leaders and encouraging them to remain
calm and to respect the law. Civil society leaders are
reportedly encouraging youths to return looted property to
local mosques without fear of repercussion. Businesses are
open and traffic is circulating as normal.


7. (SBU) The city and surrounding villages reportedly remain
without power and water. According to contacts, the GoG
promised to install a new "power station" before the end of
the year. CBG offered to install the station, but specified
that it would deduct the costs from the revenue it pays to
the GoG.

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COMMENT
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8. (SBU) The situation in Boke appears calm for the time
being. The attacks targeting Mamadou Syllah and Aboubacar
Sompare may reflect a general dissatisfaction with local
leaders in particular, and the PUP in general. Until the
electricity and water problems are resolved, the region is
likely to experience continued bouts of civil unrest. END

CONAKRY 00000664 002 OF 002


COMMENT.
RASPOLIC