WOMEN OF LES FORCES VIVES FORM COALITION

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000582

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM PHUM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: WOMEN OF LES FORCES VIVES FORM COALITION


1. (SBU) SUMMARY. Worried about what they see as an
increasing potential for violence, the women of Les Forces
Vives appear to be forming their own coalition in order to
better focus their efforts to effect change. The women
discussed a detailed plan of action, but clearly lacked
financial resources. Still, the coalition represents an
interesting development. Guinea's women have largely
operated in the background over the last few years, but this
group may be wanting to move to center stage. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) Female members of some of Guinea's major opposition
political parties appear to be coalescing as a separate bloc
within Les Forces Vives. A group of six of these women met
with A/DCM on September 16 to discuss their concerns and
explain their reasons for establishing the coalition. The
women represented the following political parties: UFDG
(Cellou Diallo),UFR (Sidya Toure, RPG (Alpha Conde),UFD,
and PEDN.


3. (SBU) Going around the room, all of the women expressed
deep concerns about the current socio-political situation in
Guinea. Several commented that the country is on the brink
of a "total breakdown" while others specifically mentioned
what they saw as an increasingly likelihood of violent
conflict. They noted that various women's groups have been
publicly demonstrating their support for CNDD President
Moussa Dadis Camara, but that these women are little more
than paid supporters. "They have no base, they do not
represent the general female population," one woman said. In
addition, they expressed concern that their respective
political leaders were too focused on individual interests
rather than the collective good.


4. (SBU) In light of this situation, the women said they
felt it necessary to develop an action plan. "We need to
work together as women and make sure that our political
leaders are hearing what we have to say," one said.
Detailing their action plan, they explained that they had
already issued a declaration, which they planned to follow
with targeted efforts to inform their political leaders of
their concerns, use of private media to express their views,
and distribution of promotional materials. They also
indicated that they were considering non-violent means of
protest including sit-ins and marches. However, they also
noted their lack of financial resources, and requested USG
assistance.


5. (SBU) One of the women commented that this initiative
represents the first time women political leaders have
mobilized as a group since 2006. "We are absolutely willing
to go all the way and we need the CNDD to understand that,"
she said.


6. (SBU) A question from A/DCM about how security forces
might react to women demonstrators sparked a heated debate
among the women. Most of the women seemed convinced that the
military would not hesitate to shoot at them while a few were
equally convinced that the military would not hurt its
mothers and sisters. One women scoffed, saying "you can't
make an omelet without breaking eggs." Another added that
security forces did not hesitate to fire on women in Mali
during a similar kind of women-led protest.

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COMMENT
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7. (SBU) The women's initiative is an interesting
development, especially since women generally seem to take a
back seat in Guinean politics - until there is a need for
them to mobilize. When this has been the case in the past,
they have proven to be a powerful force. END COMMENT.
BROKENSHIRE