MILITARY PAYS VISIT TO YOUTH LEADERS

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000513 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM ASEC GV SUBJECT: MILITARY PAYS VISIT TO YOUTH LEADERS ¶1. (U) Beginning August 25, local press reported that men in military uniform had attempted to arrest Mouctar Diallo, a prominent youth leader and head of the NFD political party (New Democratic Forces). Diallo is well known for his public criticisms of the CNDD, which he routinely airs through local radio and press interviews, often as many as two or three times a week. In May, Diallo told Embassy officers that he had been receiving anonymous phone calls warning him to desist in his criticisms. At one point, he reportedly received a death threat. ¶2. (U) According to a declaration released by his political party on August 27, men in military uniform showed up at Diallo's private residence around 10:00 PM demanding that Diallo present himself. Diallo was out at a meeting and the soldiers left. However, a different group of soldiers reportedly came back the next day at 2:00 PM. Diallo had traveled to Dakar that morning for a two-week circuit to meet with supporters in Senegal and Europe. Local press has been speculating that the soldiers planned to arrest Diallo for his political activities, but since Diallo was not present, the soldiers' intentions remain unclear. ¶3. (U) The NFD denounced the military visits, stating that they were of an "illegal character and suggestive of intimidation." The NFD went on to reaffirm its commitment to continue to fight for positive change in Guinea, and emphasized their determination to participate actively and positively to "reinforce social cohesion." ¶4. (SBU) In a separate incident, youth leader Dansa Kourouma told Pol LES that "armed Red Berets" went to his private residence late on August 27 looking for him. Kourouma was up country in Faranah, but said that the soldiers searched his residence, but did not arrest anyone. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Coming on the heels of the Forces Vives' August 23 declaration, the CNDD's crackdown on text messaging, and the growing discontent among the youth (reftels),these military visits to Diallo's and Dansa's private residences point to intimidation tactics. At the same time, the intent behind the visits remains unclear since both youth were not present. END COMMENT. BROKENSHIRE