Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CONAKRY783
2008-12-22 16:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:  

RPG OPPOSITION LEADER RETURNS TO GUINEA

Tags:  PGOV PREL ASEC GV 
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VZCZCXRO2595
PP RUEHPA
DE RUEHRY #0783 3571625
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 221625Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3242
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L CONAKRY 000783 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC GV
SUBJECT: RPG OPPOSITION LEADER RETURNS TO GUINEA

Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D

C O N F I D E N T I A L CONAKRY 000783

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC GV
SUBJECT: RPG OPPOSITION LEADER RETURNS TO GUINEA

Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D


1. (SBU) Alpha Conde, president of the Rally for the
Guinean People (RPG) opposition political party, returned to
Guinea on December 21 after an 18 month absence. According
to a high level contact within the party, the RPG is not
planning any immediate political activities, but said the
party will meet on December 25 to determine its program.
Contact said that Conde decided to return to Guinea in order
to assist the party with its preparations for the legislative
elections. He added that Conte has been busy working with
constituents abroad, but that it is now time to focus on
domestic constituents. (COMMENT. The RPG is widely
perceived as a predominantly Malinke party with significant
support from Upper Guinea. END COMMENT).

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BIO NOTES
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2. (SBU) Alpha Conde was born in Boke in 1940. He left
Guinea in 1956 to complete his education in France where he
was active in student movements and the Guinean opposition.
He did not return until 1991. He has degrees in sociology,
law, and political science, and is a former professor and
businessman. Conde took second place in the 1993
presidential election with over 19% of the vote, and was
later elected to the National Assembly in 1995.


3. (SBU) During the 1998 presidential election, Conde
finished in third position with 17% of the vote. He had been
absent from the country for an extended period of time,
returning just two weeks before election day. After the
election, but before the results were announced, Conde was
arrested in Lola prefecture near Guinea's border with Cote
d'Ivoire and Liberia, on charges of illegally attempting to
cross the border. He was later charged with and found guilty
of treason. He was sentenced to five years in prison, but
was released in May 2001 after being pardoned by President
Conte, on the condition that Conde be prohibited from
political activities. Upon his release, Conde went back to
France and did not return until 2005 in advance of the local
elections, which the RPG ultimately boycotted.


4. (SBU) Conde's last visit to Guinea was in mid-2007. The
local press frequently reports on Conde's political
activities with the Guinean Diaspora, especially in the U.S.
and Europe. He is considered a somewhat radical, but popular
leader, particularly among the Malinke, with a significant
support base.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


5. (C) RPG contacts have been anticipating Conde's return to
Guinea for months now. His seemingly sudden arrival in the
midst of rumors and controversy regarding the president's
health may be noteworthy. He is considered somewhat of a
polarizing political figure, capable of mobilizing massive
Malinke support, but perhaps at the expense of alienating
other ethnic groups and/or opposition political parties. The
government seems to view Conde with suspicion, and his name
has been linked to possibly treasonous plots in the past.
Poloff plans to meet with Conde at the earliest opportunity.
END COMMENT.
RASPOLIC