USAU: AFRICAN UNION OPPOSES DADIS' RETURN TO GUINEA

C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 002911 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AF/RSA, AND NEA/MAG NSC FOR MGAVIN PARIS FOR WBAIN LONDON FOR PLORD E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/09/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV AU SUBJECT: USAU: AFRICAN UNION OPPOSES DADIS' RETURN TO GUINEA Classified By: USAU Ambassador Michael A. Battle, reasons 1.4 (b) and ( d). This is a message from USAU Ambassador Michael Battle. ¶1. (C) On December 10, USAU Ambassador Battle discussed with the African Union Commission Chairperson's Chief of Staff, Ambassador John Shinkayie, the future status of Guinean coup leader Dadis Camara as well as the planned International Contact Group meeting on Guinea. Ambassador Shinkayie stated that the African Union and ECOWAS strongly support the notion that it would be better if Captain Camara did not return to Conakry. He further said that the International Contact Group meeting to take place on December 13 in Ouagadougou should proceed as scheduled as it will provide an opportunity for progress to be made on the ground in Guinea. Shinkayie said that when Dadis is revived from a coma in Morocco, there will have been enough progress made on the ground to dissuade Dadis from attempting to return. Dadis would have nothing to return to, Shinkayie said. ¶2. (C) A day earlier, the USAU Ambassador spoke with his French counterpart in Addis Ababa about the situation in Guinea. It was clear from that conversation that the French Government absolutely does not want Dadis to make a comeback. It is in no one's interest for Dadis to return to Conakry, the French diplomat said. MUSHINGI