NPR - THE CNDD'S NEW POLITICAL PARTY

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000424 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC GV SUBJECT: NPR - THE CNDD'S NEW POLITICAL PARTY REF: A. A. CONAKRY 00407 ¶B. B. CONAKRY 00423 ¶1. (U) SUMMARY. Last week the latest addition of Guinea's 81 political parties was announced, with CNDD Minister Boubacar Barry touted as its possible head. The NPR party has not yet been officially registered and following generalized negative reactions in Conakry, it appears that NPR promoters may be reconsidering the party's image and leadership make-up. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) Discussions continue in Conakry over the formation of a new political party, the National Party for Renewal (NPR) that is being commonly referred to as the "CNDD's party" or "Dadis's party." The NPR has not been officially constituted yet, but Embassy contacts report that it is being widely talked about and its formation is anticipated shortly. ¶3. (U) The NPR is significant in that the Minister of State in Charge of Regional and Urban Planning and Housing, Boubacar Barry, was mentioned last week as its possible head. Barry grew up with CNDD President Moussa Dadis Camara in N'Zerekore and they attended the same primary school. Lifetime friends, Dadis entrusted the care of his wife and children to Barry during the December 2008 coup. Boubacar Barry is a powerful CNDD leader; last week, during Dadis's meeting at the RTG national radio and television to present plans for providing water and electricity for all, it was Boubacar Barry who directed the meeting, not the Minister of Mines and Energy (Ref A). -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶4. (SBU) COMMENT. When Barry's name was floated last week as the head of the NPR, the reaction on the street and in the media was largely negative. Barry's appointment would violate Dadis's promise that neither Dadis nor any member of the CNDD would run for election, a pledge that was repeated recently during meetings with the International Contact Group (Ref B). Sensing the criticism and potential negative consequences associated with NPR, its organizers have backpedaled and are re-focusing on the inclusion of influential youth leaders who support the CNDD. However, Boubacar Barry's participation has not been ruled out. ¶5. (SBU) At the ICG-G meeting, Dadis proclaimed, "Nothing will change my commitment to the 2009 elections." Nevertheless, Dadis appears to be hedging his bets: a CNDD party might come in handy if elections do take place. END COMMENT. BROKENSHIRE