CROWDS OF SUPPORTERS WELCOME HOME OPPOSITION

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000556 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM ASEC GV SUBJECT: CROWDS OF SUPPORTERS WELCOME HOME OPPOSITION LEADER CELLOU DIALLO ¶1. (SBU) Much of Conakry came to a virtual standstill for several hours on September 13 as crowds of supporters marched in the streets to welcome political leader Cellou Dalein Diallo (UFDG) back to Conakry. Main traffic arteries were closed for hours as supporters marched from the airport, through Bambeto, to Hamdallaye. ¶2. (SBU) The head of the UFDG opposition party had been traveling outside the country for several weeks. He is a former prime minister whose name has been repeatedly linked to corruption charges over the past few years. The UFDG claims to be a multi-ethnic party, but is widely perceived as being predominantly Peuhl (Fulani) ¶3. (SBU) Although local press and UFDG contacts claim that between 60,000 and 100,000 supporters clogged the main thoroughfare between the airport and the center of town, security contacts report that the actual number was probably closer to 5,000, but perhaps as high as 20,000. A few contacts claimed that the crowds attracted not only UFDG supporters, but also supporters of other opposition political parties. Opposition political parties may be mobilizing their constituents to show support for rival parties in order to demonstrate solidarity across the opposition. One contact said that a similar, multi-party reception is planned for NFD leader Mouctar Diallo, who is expected to return later this week. ¶4. (U) Many of the demonstrators carried banners sporting slogans supporting Diallo. Others carried signs calling for the CNDD to surrender power. ¶5. (SBU) Embassy received numerous reports of violence during the event. Most indicated that Red Berets (military) beat some of the participants, but that the police and gendarmes generally responded with restraint. One contact claimed that Red Berets seized the opportunity to mug protestors. At one point, some Red Berets started firing into the air in order to control the crowds, but the gendarmes quickly intervened and then asked the Red Berets to return to the camp, which they reportedly did. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶6. (SBU) This pro-Cellou political rally may have represented the largest demonstration to date under the CNDD. Although there was some violence, security forces were generally effective in controlling the crowds. Dadis has been highly critical of key opposition political leaders in recent weeks for their absence from the country. Cellou is the first to return and others are expected before the end of Ramadan, including Mouctar Diallo (NFD) and Sidya Toure (UPR). END COMMENT. BROKENSHIRE