CONAKRY CALM, REPORTED DISTURBANCES IN CAMP ALPHA

C O N F I D E N T I A L CONAKRY 000631 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/16/2019 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC GV SUBJECT: CONAKRY CALM, REPORTED DISTURBANCES IN CAMP ALPHA YAYA REF: CONAKRY 0614 Classified By: ECONOFF BRIANA WARNER FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (U) Conakry continues to be outwardly calm, though tensions among the Guinean populace remain high. Recent statements by the US and French governments were seemingly well received, though the general population has yet to publically react. Embassy is not aware of any demonstrations planned for the next two days. ¶2. (U) The Forces Vives met yesterday to discuss their response to Blaise Compaore's visit and to lay out their conditions for negotiation with the CNDD. The group seems to be somewhat split over whether dialogue with the CNDD is even possible. As such, they decided to not attend the ECOWAS conference in Ouagadougou until three conditions are met: all political prisoners are released, missing bodies are returned, and the CNDD step down from power (reftel). A representative of the Forces Vives will be attending the International Contact Group meeting on Monday, October 12 in Abuja to reiterate these conditions. ¶3. (U) Embassy is continuing to receive reports about mistreatment of prisoners in the military camps and at prisons. Several Guineans have claimed that their family members or friends are being held in detention where they may have been raped, abused, tortured, and malnourished. Recently released prisoners are reporting that holding facilities are filled well above capacity with political prisoners held from September 28. According to these sources, the military is demanding bribes from prisoners' family members to ensure their release. ¶4. (C) This morning, civilian sources confirmed reports that the CNDD arrested Lieutenant Diakite Toumbah for his part in the September 28 massacre. Around 1400, Embassy received several reports of gunshots at Camp Alpha Yaya. Although Embassy has not yet been able to verify them, there are rumors that the shots were from Toumbah and a small group of men who protect him. According to these sources, Toumbah and his men escaped from the camp at around 1400, and their whereabouts are currently unknown. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Commercial activity has resumed, gas is being delivered, and foodstuffs are starting to flow into Conakry from the interior. However, Guineans do not seem to be going back to business as usual. Embassy contacts all report that they believe that it is a matter of time before Dadis is removed from power, and that the U.S. and French position may help move him out just a little sooner. Though no protests are planned, the populace seems more convinced than ever that it is time for Dadis to go. BROKENSHIRE