A HAZY SHADE OF INTEGRITY: SIERRA LEONE WELCOMES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 FREETOWN 000608

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/31/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR SL
SUBJECT: A HAZY SHADE OF INTEGRITY: SIERRA LEONE WELCOMES
GUINEAN JUNTA LEADERS

REF: A. FREETOWN 602

B. FREETOWN 605

Classified By: Ambassador June Carter Perry for reasons 1.4 (b/d)


1. (C) Summary: The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL)
released a press report December 31, outlining President
Koroma's meeting with representatives of the Guinean junta,
including Vice President General Mamadouba Toto Camara on
December 30. Text of the report is contained in para 2.
Though, per reftel A, the GoSL claim to feel forced into
hosting the Guinean contingent by Senegalese President Wade
and Libyan Leader Muammar Qadhafi, this press report gives an
appearance of the GoSL's tacit approval for the coup and its
leaders. Considered an impressive example for democratic
integrity due to the peaceful and minimally controversial
2007 and 2008 elections in the region, the GoSL missed an
opportunity with this report to remind the Guineans that
democratically-elected civilian rule must be an expedited
priority. We have brought to the attention of State House and
the Foreign Minister the importance of early elections to
establish a legitimate government in Guinea. End Summary.


2. (U) The text of the press report, entitled "Guinean Junta
Leaders Visit Sierra Leone" follows:
Members of the National Council for Democracy and Development
(CNDD),the name for the new junta that took over in
neighbouring Guinea following the death of President Lansana
Conte, yesterday paid a late-evening visit to Sierra Leone to
further explain to President Ernest Bai Koroma the reasons
for their take-over after he visited Conakry last week for
the funeral of the late Guinean leader.

Arriving at about 9 pm local time on a Republique Du
Senegal, aircraft from the Liberian capital Monrovia where
they had made a similar visit to President Ellen
Johnson-Sirleaf (who was also at the funeral ceremony in
Conakry last week),the delegation, led by new Vice President
General Mamadouba Toto Camara, was received at the Lungi
International Airport by counterpart Chief Sam Sumana who led
him to the presidential lounge to have closed-door
discussions with President Koroma. The Sierra Leonean leader
and the visiting Vice President thereafter posed for press
photographs.

This was followed by a press briefing by General Camara,
introduced by Information & Communications Minister Ibrahim
Ben Kargbo. In his statement to journalists, the Guinean
Number Two man simplified the reasons for the military
putsch, which he insisted was ¬ a coup d,etat8 but a
&vacancy8 that needed to be quickly filled in the interest
of Guinea.

Speaking on behalf of junta leader Captain Moussa Dadis
Camara (reportedly a UNAMSIL personnel during Sierra Leone,s
war),who had despatched them to &his brother, President
Ernest Koroma8 to explain the reasons for their action,
General Camara said, &a few hours after the death of our
President, we thought it wise, taking into consideration the
circumstances in the country ) the illegality of the
National Assembly, the lack of dialogue between the people
and the government ) that if the leader of the National
Assembly were to take over power, the situation would have
been worse.8 He said the military conducted itself in a
proper manner by shedding no blood and not arresting former
ministers, backed by the fact that their action was supported
by the Guinean people. &In our inaugural speech, we told the
people that we took over to create the necessary conditions
for peace.8 He explained that though they had proposed a
transition period ending in December 2010, it is still
negotiable, adding that they have already appointed a
civilian Prime Minister.

On the CNDD, the Vice President said &it,s a consultative
organ set up to verify and validate the laws proposed by the
government.8 He reiterated that they have no intention of
retaining power, and that though they understand the concerns
raised by the international community, particularly the EU
and the G-8, they needed time &for a mental re-orientation
of the people8, which they wouldn,t want to do with
brutality. He said political parties have already expressed
support for the new regime, explaining that they would have
to conduct local elections, to be followed by parliamentary
polls, by which the elected Members of Parliament, forming
the National Assembly, would have the responsibility to
conduct presidential elections, after which the military
would withdraw from politics.

After the statement, Vice President Sam Sumana responded by
thanking the General for coming and hoped he had had fruitful

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closed-door discussions with President Koroma. He prayed that
what happened in Sierra Leone during the war would not happen
in Guinea, while stating that &the people of Sierra Leone
still see you as brothers.8

SLAJ President Umaro Fofanah gave the vote of thanks, but not
before sneaking in a question in French (after the
Information Minister made it clear that no questions would be
entertained) about the coup, to which General Camara replied
that theirs was not a coup d,etat but a &take-over8 to
fill a vacancy.

The Guinean delegation comprised both military and civilian
officials, among whom were Lt. Col Matturi Bangura, Col.
Bambou Fofanah, Commander Amadou Dumbuya, Alhaji Demba
Fadiga, Lt. Madjou Djibate, and Khalifa Nyias.

Other Sierra Leonean government officials present at the
ceremony included Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation
Minister Zainab Bangura, Presidential & Public Affairs
Minister Alpha Kanu, Defence Minister Paulo Conteh, Finance
Minister David Carew, Health & Sanitation Minister Soccoh
Kabia, Energy & Power Minister Afsatu Kabba, Ag. Transport &
Aviation Minister Allieu Pat Sowe, Minister of State Vice
President,s Office Balogun Koroma, Deputy Minister of
Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation Vandi Minah,
Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources Ignosi Koroma, Deputy
Minister of Information Mohamed Koroma, and Deputy Minister
of Tourism Hassan Mansaray.

The junta leaders spent about two hours at Lungi before
departing.

Meanwhile, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddaffi may spend New
Year,s Day in Sierra Leone, as he is expected to arrive in
Freetown today for a four-day official visit which could
include discussions with the new Guinean leaders.


3. (C) Comment: Given Sierra Leone's demonstrated commitment
to democracy, the GoSL's failure to announce the expectation
that Guinea will conduct free and fair elections as soon as
possible is disappointing. Per reftel B, President Koroma
discussed the need for a peaceful and democratic transition
with the press while attending Lansana Conte's funeral. Not
reiterating that message at this time could be an indicator
that Wade and Qadhafi are pressuring the GoSL to accept the
junta as a legitimate government. Though Koroma seeks to be
seen as a leader in the Mano River Union and larger region
with regards to good governance and human rights, his major
actions to date involved issues outside of West Africa, such
as condemning the elections violence in Zimbabwe and
supporting the UN Somalia piracy resolutions. We have been
told by President Koroma's closest advisor that Sierra Leone
will not engage in further talks with Camara. A crumbling
resolve when faced with conflict in his own backyard could
undermine his credibility as an independent voice for
democracy with the U.S. and other allies. End Comment.
PERRY