PRESIDENT CONTE DIES, MILITARY ELEMENTS LAUNCH

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000790

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

CONAKRY 00000790 002 OF 002


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.
RASPOLIC