Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CONAKRY635
2009-10-08 16:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
EYEWITNESS REPORTS ENCOUNTER WITH CIVILIAN MILITIA
how-toVZCZCXRO5840 PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHRY #0635 2811603 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 081603Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4138 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000635
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: EYEWITNESS REPORTS ENCOUNTER WITH CIVILIAN MILITIA
UNIT
REF: CONAKRY 0605
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000635
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: EYEWITNESS REPORTS ENCOUNTER WITH CIVILIAN MILITIA
UNIT
REF: CONAKRY 0605
1. (SBU) A long-time Embassy contact (a Peuhl) told A/DCM on
October 7 that he had personally seen a group of 40 civilian
militias exit from Camp Alpha Yaya on September 28 at
approximately 1300. According to source, these civilians
were naked from the waist up, sported tattoos on their
bodies, and wore red bandanas around their heads. He
identified them as Forestiers. They were carrying machetes,
hammers, pieces of wood, and other make-shift weapons. The
militias appeared to have received some training as they
marched in a tight formation. They were reportedly escorted
by four Red Berets who were shooting their guns
"horizontally."
2. (SBU) With the soldiers firing their guns, source hid
behind a building as the militia exited the camp. After they
passed, he found six wounded people who he helped to obtain
medical treatment. None of these victims had bullet wounds,
but had been severely beaten. He later saw the body of a 16
year old youth, Boubacar Doumboya, who had been apparently
gunned down in front of the shop where he worked as a
hairdresser. Source claimed the militia group was
responsible for these casualties.
3. (SBU) Source confirmed reports of similar violence in
Cosa (a predominantly Peuhl neighborhood) September 28-30.
He said the militias were seeking out demonstrators on the
28th in order to beat them up, and in some cases, kill them.
As night fell, the militia turned to looting, which
reportedly continued for the next two nights. As they roamed
the neighborhood, they were accompanied by a vehicle with a
stereo playing loud music. The militias reportedly chanted
"Dadis, Dadis, Dadis." Source also claimed that the militias
were making ethnic threats, saying that they would kill the
Peuhls.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
4. (SBU) Embassy continues to hear reports of what contacts
are calling a civilian militia, which they claim is
responsible for the violence that took place September 28-30
in Guinea, along with the Presidential Guard (Red Berets).
END COMMENT.
BROKENSHIRE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: EYEWITNESS REPORTS ENCOUNTER WITH CIVILIAN MILITIA
UNIT
REF: CONAKRY 0605
1. (SBU) A long-time Embassy contact (a Peuhl) told A/DCM on
October 7 that he had personally seen a group of 40 civilian
militias exit from Camp Alpha Yaya on September 28 at
approximately 1300. According to source, these civilians
were naked from the waist up, sported tattoos on their
bodies, and wore red bandanas around their heads. He
identified them as Forestiers. They were carrying machetes,
hammers, pieces of wood, and other make-shift weapons. The
militias appeared to have received some training as they
marched in a tight formation. They were reportedly escorted
by four Red Berets who were shooting their guns
"horizontally."
2. (SBU) With the soldiers firing their guns, source hid
behind a building as the militia exited the camp. After they
passed, he found six wounded people who he helped to obtain
medical treatment. None of these victims had bullet wounds,
but had been severely beaten. He later saw the body of a 16
year old youth, Boubacar Doumboya, who had been apparently
gunned down in front of the shop where he worked as a
hairdresser. Source claimed the militia group was
responsible for these casualties.
3. (SBU) Source confirmed reports of similar violence in
Cosa (a predominantly Peuhl neighborhood) September 28-30.
He said the militias were seeking out demonstrators on the
28th in order to beat them up, and in some cases, kill them.
As night fell, the militia turned to looting, which
reportedly continued for the next two nights. As they roamed
the neighborhood, they were accompanied by a vehicle with a
stereo playing loud music. The militias reportedly chanted
"Dadis, Dadis, Dadis." Source also claimed that the militias
were making ethnic threats, saying that they would kill the
Peuhls.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
4. (SBU) Embassy continues to hear reports of what contacts
are calling a civilian militia, which they claim is
responsible for the violence that took place September 28-30
in Guinea, along with the Presidential Guard (Red Berets).
END COMMENT.
BROKENSHIRE