RENEWED CIVIL DISTURBANCES IN CONAKRY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000686

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC ELAB PGOV GV
SUBJECT: RENEWED CIVIL DISTURBANCES IN CONAKRY

REF: A. CONAKRY 663

B. CONAKRY 668

C. CONAKRY 670

D. CONAKRY 675

E. CONAKRY 678

F. CONAKRY 684


1. (SBU) SUMMARY. Monday started off with renewed civil
protests in Conakry, following four days of civil
disturbances last week. There were three demonstrations this
morning in areas that have been relatively quiet in recent
weeks. The largest protest, which closed downtown Conakry,
appeared to be led by students who were angry that their
teachers did not show up for work. Security forces used tear
gas to control crowds, and by noon, available reports
indicated that calm had been restored throughout the city.
END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) As of 1000, there were three civil protests taking
place across the capital. Embassy received reports of
protest activity, including roadblocks, in the downtown area,
in G'Bessia (airport district),and at Kilometer 36 (commonly
viewed as Conakry city limits and the gateway to the
interior). There were reports of gunfire and possibly one
death. Dissatisfaction with fuel prices sparked similar
civil disturbances last week, which effectively paralyzed the
city for four days. The situation had returned to normal by
the end of the week, but the underlying reasons for the
protest remain unresolved (reftels).


3. (SBU) A woman representing a local youth NGO reportedly
went on the radio over the weekend and claimed that she and
her organization were responsible for negotiating with the
government and protestors, thereby restoring calm to the
neighborhoods. According to Embassy contacts, this claim
infuriated the protestors, prompting them to push for renewed
protests this week in order to prove that they are under no
one's control.


4. (SBU) Youths organized a meeting on Sunday wherein many
participants advocated against further protests. Several
prominent youth leaders reportedly spent the day going
through the neighborhoods encouraging youths to stay home and
avoid violence. According to a youth contact, the Ministry
of Security personally visited with youth leaders and gave
them 4 million GnF ($825) to distribute to the protestors as
an incentive to encourage them to avoid further
demonstrations. By late Sunday evening, youth contacts were
relatively confident that they successfully derailed protest
plans.


5. (SBU) However, a protest started in G'bessia (near the
airport) this morning at approximately 0600. Contacts said
that the G'bessia representative had not been able to attend
the Sunday youth meeting, and may not have been informed of
the decision. Protestors blocked the roads with rocks and
other debris, making it impossible for people to travel to
the airport. Although the access routes were blocked, the
airport continued normal operations.


6. (SBU) Contacts from the French Embassy and the private
telecommunications company Cellcom told DATT that all the
roads leading to the downtown area had been blocked by
protestors by 0930. They noted that local stores and
businesses began closing at approximately 0945. The Cellcom
representative said that he had heard gunshots near one of
the company's towers, and had already closed down all
business operations. The French later told DATT that most of
the protestors were students who were angry that their
teachers did not report to work this morning (COMMENT. The
teacher's union has threatened to resume a nationwide labor
strike as early as tomorrow, see reftel F. END COMMENT).


7. (SBU) RSO staff confirmed protest activity in the
downtown area, as well as around Kilometer 36, which is the
main traffic artery connecting the capital to the rest of the
country.


8. (SBU) Security forces responded with tear gas to control
crowds, and by noon, Embassy received several reports
indicating that calm had been restored, and the city was
quiet.


9. (SBU) The American school did not open today. The French
School had sent everyone home by 1000.

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COMMENT
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CONAKRY 00000686 002 OF 002




10. (SBU) Last week's protest activity centered on Conakry's
predominantly Peuhl neighborhoods, but those areas have been
relatively quiet today. The downtown protest, which seems to
the biggest one, appeared to be related to the lack of
teachers rather than the fuel price issue. Coming to work
this morning, Embassy staff observed that the city appeared
to be going about business as usual, although there were
fewer taxis out on the roads. END COMMENT.
RASPOLIC