CNDD ESTABLISHES NATIONAL TRANSITION COUNCIL

C O N F I D E N T I A L CONAKRY 000242 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM ASEC GV SUBJECT: CNDD ESTABLISHES NATIONAL TRANSITION COUNCIL Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. The CNDD formally established a National Transition Council (CNT) over the weekend, but members of Les Forces Vives are largely disappointed over the CNT's lack of independence and authority. They will continue to negotiate the composition and structure with the CNDD. However, since the CNT is a key component of Les Forces Vives' election timeline because it is supposed to address constitutional electoral code reforms, further negotiations are likely to delay progress towards elections. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) On April 27, the National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD) formally issued a decree establishing a National Transition Council (CNT). Civil society contacts have been talking about the need for a CNT since the coup, a request that was then articulated by Les Force Vives in late March when they proposed a transition timeline to CNDD President Moussa Dadis Camara. Les Forces Vives envisioned the CNT as an independent, pseudo-legislative body, comprised of civilian representatives, which would address questions of constitutional and electoral code reform. Other contacts assume it would have even broader legislative powers. ¶3. (U) As detailed in the April 27 presidential decree, the CNT is described as "a consultative body whose mission is to assist the CNDD in legislative matters." The CNT is charged with providing advice and making recommendations to the CNDD on all constitutional reform and legislative issues. The decree specifies that the CNT will be composed of 117 members who will be appointed by the "President of the Republic." Members include representation from political parties, unions, civil society organizations, the Council of Wise Men, youth organizations, journalists, the business community, and religious organizations. Ten spots will be held by defense and security forces, ten spots are reserved for lawyers, and another fifteen spots for Guineans abroad. The decree mandates that the CNT meet twice monthly. Any views or recommendations must be forwarded to the CNDD Chairman. ¶4. (C) A youth contact close to the CNDD called Pol/Econ Chief over the weekend to express his disappointment over the decree. He claimed to have spent two days drafting a decree to create the CNT, but that the CNDD completely reworked it. "The way it is written, the CNT has absolutely no power - the CNDD will control everything," he said. The original decree reportedly established the independent nature of the CNT, specified that its members would be selected by each group represented (i.e. unions, political parties, etc.),and that it would have broad legislative powers. According to contact, the CNDD's version of the CNT is nothing more than a "token" to appease the international community and Guinean civil society. ¶5. (C) Following the publication of the decree, the CNDD invited members of Les Forces Vive to Camp Alpha Yaya on May 3 to discuss the CNT and the transition in general. Political party contacts told Pol LES that the decree was drafted without any consultative process with Les Forces Vives. Ousmane Bah of the UPR (Union for Progress and Renewal) described the current composition of the CNT as "a step backward for the transition process." Dr. Mohamed Diane of the RPG (Rally for the Guinean People) said that the CNDD is trying to weaken the political parties and minimize their participation in the transition process. Other contacts agreed that the decree needs serious work. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Based on the Forces Vives' proposed timeline, the CNT was supposed to be set up by the end of April in order to have ample time to review the constitution and advance reforms prior to election day. If the CNT only meets twice a month, as envisioned in the decree, constitutional reform is likely to be delayed, which would probably push back elections as well. The proposed CNT lacks independence and authority, which further undermines its usefulness. Contacts from Les Forces Vives are clearly unhappy with it and intend to work with the CNDD to restructure it. However, even if they are successful, the required negotiation process means that more delays are likely. END COMMENT. RASPOLIC