Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CONAKRY556
2009-09-14 16:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
CROWDS OF SUPPORTERS WELCOME HOME OPPOSITION
how-toVZCZCXRO5170 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHRY #0556 2571616 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 141616Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4037 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
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
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
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