COUP APPEARS TO HAVE ROUTED GUINEAN GOVERNMENT -

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000793 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/23/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM ASEC KDEM GV SUBJECT: COUP APPEARS TO HAVE ROUTED GUINEAN GOVERNMENT - TRANSITION DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE REF: A. CONAKRY 0787 ¶B. CONAKRY 0788 Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D ¶1. (S) SUMMARY. A military coup launched by elements of the so-called 19th promotion following the announcement of President Conte's death (reftels) appears to have succeeded in routing the government, at least in the immediate term. The Ministry of Security, which includes the police force, appears to have joined ranks with the putschists. Discussions over the shape of the transition continue although the putschists may have decided on a president and deputy to lead a transitional council, both of whom come from the military. The city has generally been quiet, but there have been reports of gunfire and intermittent, unconfirmed reports of soldiers being wounded. Embassy has received reports that PM Souare and National Assembly President Aboubacar Sompare have been taken into custody. The situation remains fluid, but calm. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) Both Prime Minister Souare and National Assembly President Aboubacar Sompare issued statements on Radio France International between 12:00 and 12:30. Souare assured the population that his government continues to function and that he was "optimistic about a return to constitutionality." Sompare said he hoped for a national dialogue to resolve differences of opinion. ¶3. (S) Contacts reported that the accountants sent down to the Central Bank by the putschists had found the bank "completely cleaned out." They reportedly left a contingent of guards in order to protect evidence so that they could consider later using forensic accounting to trace the flow of funds. ¶4. (S) Regarding the military seizure of Radio Television Guinean (RTG) earlier today, a reliable source working at Radio Familia told PAO that several trucks of soldiers stormed the building, accusing workers of sabotaging communications equipment because RTG had only been broadcasting intermittently throughout the day. The reporter, who was at RTG at the time, said that the soldiers manhandled a couple of the journalists and smashed some telephones. The journalists reportedly insisted that they had not sabotaged any equipment, and that the reason they were having broadcast problems was because the electric company had cut the power supply to the building. The power was apparently working when the soldiers were there, but they threatened to return if broadcasts were interrupted again. ¶5. (S) Around 12:00, contacts reported that several generals had arrived at Camp Alpha Yaya, including Major General Diarra Camara (Joint Chief of Staff),Major General Mamadou Sampil (Deputy Joint Chief of Staff),and Major General Kandet Toure (Cabinet for Ministry of Defense). Brigadier General Toto Camara, Army Chief of Staff, was already at the camp. Source was unclear as to whether or not the generals had gone to the camp voluntarily. Contact told DATT that they were still "looking for" Admiral Ally Daffe (Navy), Brigadier General Bah Sambah (Gendarmes),and Major General Syllah (Air Force). ¶6. (S) At approximately 13:45, dozens of vehicles carrying some one hundred plus soldiers armed with machine guns and rocket propelled grenades drove onto the RTG complex across from the Embassy. Members of the police force were also present. A large group of soldiers entered the building, reportedly to issue a press statement. Everyone peacefully departed less than 15 minutes later. As the convoy took off, a tank slowly rolled onto the scene only to slowly depart once again after seeing that everyone had already left. A large contingent of soldiers later returned to RTG at approximately 16:30, and left again after 15 minutes. ¶7. (U) According to an internet news site (Guinee24.com), the military issued a press statement inviting all former government dignataries to come to Camp Alpha Yaya where they could be protected. The military spokesperson reportedly said that the coup organizers had no intention of harming anyone, and that if potential targets refused the invitation, the military would not be responsible for any injuries that might befell them outside the military camp. ¶8. (S) DCM spoke to the former ministers of security and foreign affairs over the telephone between 14:00 and 15:00 (former as in up until the coup). The Minister of Security, Elhadj Madifing Diane, said that coup leaders had achieved CONAKRY 00000793 002 OF 002 all of their initial objectives and were in control of the city and government. At the time of the call, he was with his men at the main police base in Conakry. Diane said that during the coup, he allowed his men (police forces) to join the growing ranks of soldiers and other security forces in their effort to take over the government. While he acknowledged that he is no longer the Minister of Security, Diane said he was still the highest ranking police officer in the country, and thus his authority is still very much intact. (COMMENT. In previous discussions with DCM, Diane indicated that he valued peace and security over all other considerations, and therefore may have decided to side with coup leaders once it became apparent that they would easily sweep any opposition aside. END COMMENT). ¶9. (S) Amadou Lamarana Bah, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, told DCM that he is "out of circulation" and staying at a friend's house near his own home. He said he had no intention of taking up the coup leaders' offer to present himself at Camp Alpha Yaya in return for protection. Bah said that the "did not trust Pivi and his men." He added that his family had been moved to another location for safety, although he did not personally feel threatened. ¶10. (S) DCM also spoke with the PM's Chief of Protocol who said that Souare was still at his office and remained the country's prime minister since he had not been dismissed through an official act. Contact said that the PM did not personally feel threatened by the events of the day. ¶11. (S) At 15:30, Embassy received a report that both Sompare and Souare had been "apprehended" by the putschists. ¶12. (S) Beginning at approximately 14:30, Embassy started receiving reports of gunfire at both Camp Alpha Yaya and Camp Samory Toure. Gunfire had died down by 16:00. According to a contact, putschists at Camp Alpha Yaya were firing into the air over an internal disagreement about who should lead the transitional council. At least three candidates names were reportedly discussed: Brigadier General Toto Camara, Major "Idi Amin" Camara, and Army Lt Colonel Konate (Airborne Battalion). Multiple sources told DATT at approximately 16:30 that the putschists had agreed to have Konate serve as the head of the Council with Moussa Camara (the spokesperson for the 19th promotion) as his deputy. Sources also reported that negotiations had been temporarily suspended. ¶13. (S) The gunshots at Camp Samory Toure reportedly occurred during a standoff between putschists and presidential loyalists. It is unclear whether shots were fired into the air, or exchanged directly. ¶14. (SBU) Contacts located outside of Conakry continue to report that the situation is peaceful upcountry. A contact with BHP said that one of their vehicles tried to travel to Conakry today, but was peacefully turned around at Kilometer 36, the main road into the city. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶15. (S) The coup appears to have succeeded, at least in the immediate term. Embassy has received a few reports of soldiers being wounded, but has not been able to confirm these reports. Youth leaders are worried about how the transitional government is evolving, and especially concerned about the selection of Konate as president and Moussa Camara as deputy. However, there may be some confusion between the groups as a youth leader's comments suggest that he thought that Konate had been selected as the new president and Camara as the new PM. The situation remains unsettled, but relatively calm, with negotiations expected to continue into the night and possibly longer as various actors try to shape the transition. Civilian contacts have been quiet, but may be waiting for things to settle down before they start asserting their demands. Embassy continues to closely monitor the situation. RASPOLIC