Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CONAKRY513
2009-08-28 12:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
MILITARY PAYS VISIT TO YOUTH LEADERS
how-toVZCZCXRO3461 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHRY #0513 2401231 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 281231Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3979 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000513
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: 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
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