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."

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COMMENT
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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