MACENTA - KONATE LOBBIES FOR DADIS, YOUTH PROTEST

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000501 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC GV SUBJECT: MACENTA - KONATE LOBBIES FOR DADIS, YOUTH PROTEST OVER MISSING MONEY ¶1. (U) Youth rioted on August 25 in the city of Macenta, which is located in the Forest region approximately 14 hours from Conakry. The protest was sparked by the Mayor's failure to deliver to the Macenta youth a hundred million Guinean francs (GNF)(approximately $20,000 USD) that Minister of Defense Sekouba Konate had reportedly promised to them during a visit over the weekend. ¶2. (U) Apparently, during a visit to Macenta on August 20, Konate offered 300 hundred million GNF (approximately $60,000 USD) to the population of Macenta to be divided equally among three groups: 100 million each to the elders, women, and youth. Macenta's mayor delivered the money to the elders and women's groups, but reportedly decided to hold on to the money for the youth. According to sources, the mayor was planning to embezzle the money. A group of young people assembled at the Mayor's office to demand the money, and in the ensuing confusion vandalized his office and possibly his residence. Security forces were deployed to restore order and some demonstrators were arrested. The mayor reportedly took refuge in the military camp in Macenta. No deaths were reported and the town was quiet as of Tuesday morning. ¶3. (U) Konate was assigned to Macenta from 2000 to 2006 as the Detachment Commander of the Parachute Commandoes, and his return this weekend with a sizable CNDD delegation was warmly received. His trip to the Forest Region appears to be part of an active campaign to seek support for Dadis' presidential candidacy. In a speech delivered in Macenta Konate said, "no citizen of Guinea, for one reason or another, should be excluded. The candidacies are open." He went on to remind the audience that "you have heard that CNDD President Camara has been called by citizens to present himself in the upcoming elections. Their choice is without doubt their wish." -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Comment. Konate's seemingly expansive gesture appears to have been highjacked by corruption, igniting the disgruntled youth of Macenta. Dadis appears to be aggressively ramping up his exposure outside of Conakry. Konate's presence and the "gift" of 300 million GNF to the Macenta groups suggests that the CNDD is willing to commit more resources in pursuit of votes. Efforts to purchase loyalty in Conakry are underway as well. Last weekend Konate handed out 500 bags of rice to residents in the Conakary neighborhood of Taouyah. Yesterday the press reported that female merchants from the Medina market gathered at Camp Alpha Yaya in support of Dadis after the Governor of Conakry paid them to do so. End Comment. BROKENSHIRE