Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CONAKRY617
2009-10-02 17:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
CONAKRY PROTESTS OVER MISSING BODIES
how-toVZCZCXYZ0009 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHRY #0617 2751753 ZNR UUUUU ZZH (CCY ADXBD51C4 MSI6879 540A) R 021753Z OCT 09 ZDS FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4114 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNIOAN COLLECTIVE RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000617
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D COPY - MISS-NUMBERED PARA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PHUM PGOV PREL GV
SUBJECT: CONAKRY PROTESTS OVER MISSING BODIES
REF: CONAKRY 00615
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000617
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D COPY - MISS-NUMBERED PARA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PHUM PGOV PREL GV
SUBJECT: CONAKRY PROTESTS OVER MISSING BODIES
REF: CONAKRY 00615
1. (U) Summary. Today marks 51 years since Guinea declared
independence from France. It also marks the fourth day since
nearly 200 Guineans lost their lives during violent
confrontations with the military. Their bodies have yet to be
recovered by families. The CNDD's commemoration of
Independence Day and its plan to release 58 bodies to
Conakry's Faisal mosque backfired, and protesters trickled
into the streets of Conakry. END SUMMARY.
2. (U) When CNDD President Moussa Dadis Camara went to lay
the ceremonial wreath at the Martyr's Monument, a small crowd
gathered to yell, "Dadis is useless! Zero! Zero!" The event
was peaceful, and the protestors and security forces alike
remained orderly. Dadis left the area after a brief pause at
the site.
3. (U) Less than two hours later, the situation became
visibly tenser when the CNDD opened the Grand Mosque to the
public for the collection of 58 of their dead (reftel).
According to witnesses, several thousand Guineans surrounded
the mosque compound to collect the bodies and demand the
return of the other missing dead, estimated at over 150.
4. (U) The situation turned violent when the crowds noticed
that none of the bodies on display had bullet wounds,
indicating that the CNDD chose only those who were killed by
other means. People were also disappointed with not finding
the bodies of their loved ones. Witnesses say that at least
20 bodies were decomposed so dramatically that their
relatives could not identify them. When Koutoubu Sano, the
CNDD Minister for Religious Affairs, gave his condolences,
the crowd reportedly physically attacked him. After only a
few seconds, Imams from the mosque were able to disperse the
crowd peacefully. The police then sprayed tear gas inside the
mosque to clear the area. Sano was not seriously injured.
5. (U) Several witnesses at the event report that the protest
turned more violent after the protestors left the mosque.
Apparently, several of the demonstraters attacked the Imams
who they said were "just covering for the CNDD." The security
forces then beat back the attackers back with nightsticks and
warning shots fired into the air. Though several people were
injured, there are no deaths reported from the event as of
yet.
6. (U) Embassy continues to receive reports of growing
demonstrations in the Bellvue and Madina market area,
apparently prompted by the incident at the mosque. Many of
the victims' families are reportedly marching toward Camp
Alpha Yaya to demand the bodies back from the CNDD. Although
the Forces Vives had planned another demonstration for 1500
this afternoon, the situation at the mosque, coupled with the
fact that all text messages have been disabled since this
morning, reportedly hindered the organization of the rally.
BROKENSHIRE
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D COPY - MISS-NUMBERED PARA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PHUM PGOV PREL GV
SUBJECT: CONAKRY PROTESTS OVER MISSING BODIES
REF: CONAKRY 00615
1. (U) Summary. Today marks 51 years since Guinea declared
independence from France. It also marks the fourth day since
nearly 200 Guineans lost their lives during violent
confrontations with the military. Their bodies have yet to be
recovered by families. The CNDD's commemoration of
Independence Day and its plan to release 58 bodies to
Conakry's Faisal mosque backfired, and protesters trickled
into the streets of Conakry. END SUMMARY.
2. (U) When CNDD President Moussa Dadis Camara went to lay
the ceremonial wreath at the Martyr's Monument, a small crowd
gathered to yell, "Dadis is useless! Zero! Zero!" The event
was peaceful, and the protestors and security forces alike
remained orderly. Dadis left the area after a brief pause at
the site.
3. (U) Less than two hours later, the situation became
visibly tenser when the CNDD opened the Grand Mosque to the
public for the collection of 58 of their dead (reftel).
According to witnesses, several thousand Guineans surrounded
the mosque compound to collect the bodies and demand the
return of the other missing dead, estimated at over 150.
4. (U) The situation turned violent when the crowds noticed
that none of the bodies on display had bullet wounds,
indicating that the CNDD chose only those who were killed by
other means. People were also disappointed with not finding
the bodies of their loved ones. Witnesses say that at least
20 bodies were decomposed so dramatically that their
relatives could not identify them. When Koutoubu Sano, the
CNDD Minister for Religious Affairs, gave his condolences,
the crowd reportedly physically attacked him. After only a
few seconds, Imams from the mosque were able to disperse the
crowd peacefully. The police then sprayed tear gas inside the
mosque to clear the area. Sano was not seriously injured.
5. (U) Several witnesses at the event report that the protest
turned more violent after the protestors left the mosque.
Apparently, several of the demonstraters attacked the Imams
who they said were "just covering for the CNDD." The security
forces then beat back the attackers back with nightsticks and
warning shots fired into the air. Though several people were
injured, there are no deaths reported from the event as of
yet.
6. (U) Embassy continues to receive reports of growing
demonstrations in the Bellvue and Madina market area,
apparently prompted by the incident at the mosque. Many of
the victims' families are reportedly marching toward Camp
Alpha Yaya to demand the bodies back from the CNDD. Although
the Forces Vives had planned another demonstration for 1500
this afternoon, the situation at the mosque, coupled with the
fact that all text messages have been disabled since this
morning, reportedly hindered the organization of the rally.
BROKENSHIRE