PRESIDENT CONTE DIES, MILITARY ELEMENTS LAUNCH

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000787

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/23/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PMIL ASEC PHUM GV
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT CONTE DIES, MILITARY ELEMENTS LAUNCH
COUP D'ETAT

REF: A. CONAKRY 0568

B. CONAKRY 0588

C. CONAKRY 0620

D. CONAKRY 0739

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


1. (S) SUMMARY. At 02:00 on December 23, the Guinean
Government announced that President Conte had died the
previous evening. Shortly thereafter, Embassy began
receiving reports of military elements launching various
operations. By 07:30 it was clear that members of the so-
called 19th promotion, within the military, had launched a
coup attempt. A military spokesperson announced that they
had seized power and suspended the constitution. It is as
yet unclear whether or not the 19th promotion has been able
to successfully seize and consolidate power. Conakry is
relatively quiet and calm, and there have been no reports
of casualties despite a significant military presence. The
situation remains fluid and Embassy continues to monitor
events closely. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) At approximately 02:00 on December 23, Aboubacar
Sompare, the President of the National Assembly, announced
over national television that President Conte had died the
previous evening. Accompanied by Prime Minister Souare and
the Minister of Defense, Sompare called for the Supreme
Court to uphold Guinea's constitution, which names the
President of the National Assembly as the constitutional
successor to an elected president. The PM asked that the
military maintain the country's security, especially at its
territorial borders. The PM also announced that the
country would observe 40 days of national mourning.


3. (S) Following the official broadcast, Embassy officers
began to receive multiple reports of military movements in
various parts of the city. Elements of the so-called 19th
promotion, which have been plotting a coup d'etat for the
past three months (reftels),told DATT that they planned to
launch their operation. At 04:00, Embassy received reports
that Red Berets (presidential guards) had taken control of
Castro Bridge, which controls traffic flow into and out of
downtown Conakry.


4. (S) At 05:40, approximately 30 military troops stormed
Radio Television Guinean (RTG) headquarters, which is
located directly across the street from the Embassy. Some
of the soldiers were later identified as members of the
19th promotion. They maintained control of the building
until approximately 07:45 when they reportedly left for a
second RTG building because the broadcast equipment in the
first building was not working properly. The soldiers
generally let traffic flow freely on the road, although
they were armed with rocket propelled grenades and machine
guns. At 06:35, contacts within the 19th promotion
confirmed to DATT that they had launched their plan to take
over the government.


5. (U) At 07:30, a military spokesperson identified as
Captain Moussa Gadiss Camara announced that the military
had seized power and was suspending the constitution. He
declared that the National Assembly and the current
government, including the prime minister, were being
dismissed. He declared the suspension of all political and
union activity. Camara said that the military would be
establishing a transition council, comprised of both
military and civilian representatives, the composition of
which would be detailed later in the day. He emphasized
that the new government plans to fight rampant corruption.
Camara said that an ethnically balanced transition council
would name a new prime minister to handle administrative
affairs, and that the council would organize presidential
elections. Continuing, Camara said that the transitional
government planned to "restore the authority of the state,"
liberalize the media, and revise the constitution.


6. (S) By mid-morning, Embassy was receiving reports that
elements of the 19th promotion had successfully seized
control of three of Conakry's four military camps: Camp
Alpha Yaya, Camp Boiro, and Camp Camayenne. Reports
indicated that the 19th promotion also had partial control
of Camp Samory Toure although Red Berets maintained control
of First Lady Henriette's Conte's house, which is where she
and President Conte's body are believed to be located.
According to contacts, the 19th promotion has arrested all
but two of Guinea's military generals and have sent out
teams to search out other "targets," including the prime
minister, Conte's wives, current ministers, controversial
business figure Mamadou Syllah, and high-level officials
from the ruling Party for Unity and Progress (PUP).


7. (S) A contact told DATT that the coup plotters had sent
a delegation of accountants, accompanied by armed guards,
down to the Central Bank early in the morning in order to
control the flight of financial assets.


8. (S) The 19th promotion appears to have control of a
significant number of troops, heavy armor, and a
significant number of Red Berets. They also appear to have
strong relations with officers from the police Anti-Crime
Brigade (BAC) since two BAC vehicles stopped outside RTG
and gave "high-fives" to the military personnel there this
morning.


9. (S) As of 10:00, contacts within the 19th promotion had
not revealed the name of the individual leading the
initiative, nor indicated who would ultimately take control
of the transitional council. They have reported that
mutiny leader Claude Pivi is on their side, and under their
control.


10. (S) Conversations with youth leaders indicates that
the youth are well aware of what is going on, but as of
yet, are distancing themselves from the military operation,
despite the fact that some of them helped plan the coup.
One youth leader told DATT that the 7:30 radio announcement
was worrisome, and that they are not sure exactly what the
military plans to implement. The youth also mentioned that
the ethnic composition of the proposed transitional council
could be worrisome, especially since the 19th promotion
appears to consist primarily of Malinke and Forest tribes.

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COMMENT
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11. (S) The situation in the capital is relatively calm.
The streets are quiet and although there have been some
reports of gunfire, there have been no reports of
casualties. Many contacts have indicated in the past that
they expected the military to intervene when Conte died,
and they now appear to be cautiously observing how things
will play out. It as yet unclear whether the 19th
promotion has successfully seized power. Sensitive sources
indicate that other groups may not accept the proposed
transitional government, and may launch their own counter
initiative. The situation remains fluid and the Embassy
continues to monitor events slowly. Embassy convened an
EAC at 9:00, which will be reported septel. A second EAC
is planned for 15:00, unless the situation necessitates an
earlier meeting. END COMMENT.