CNDD ARRESTS ONE OF ITS OWN

C O N F I D E N T I A L CONAKRY 000075 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2019 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC GV SUBJECT: CNDD ARRESTS ONE OF ITS OWN REF: CONAKRY 064 Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D ¶1. (U) After appointing Colonel Aboubacar Sidiki Camara, commonly called "Idi Amin" because of his imposing stature, as the Permanent Minister Secretary General of the National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD),members of the military junta arrested Idi Amin just a few hours after he assumed his new post on January 26. The details surrounding the arrest remain unclear although the CNDD later issued an official decree relieving Idi Amin of his duties. Prior to his appointment, Idi Amin had been an integral member of the CNDD and close to the group that had plotted the December 23 coup. ¶2. (SBU) Contacts suggest that Idi Amin was fired because of ideological differences. Some sources say that Idi Amin was pushing the CNDD to release several military officers who were being held on unknown charges. Other sources say he disagreed with Moussa Dadis Camara, President of the CNDD, over the duration of the transition, with Idi pushing for a quick return to a constitutional government and Dadis wanting to stay in power. There has also been some indication that Dadis and others saw Idi as a potential threat and may have feared that he would successfully launch a counter-coup (reftel). ¶3. (C) The French DATT told DCM that Idi had previously indicated that he expected to be appointed as the Secretary General of the CNDD with responsibility for organizing elections and reviewing the constitution. French DATT commented that Idi's advocacy on behalf of prisoners as well as his strong position on elections and a credible transition could have prompted the CNDD to take action. According to the French DATT, it would be difficult for Idi to orchestrate a coup since he is from the gendarmes and lacks access to significant fire power. On a side note, French DATT told DCM that it is becoming increasingly difficult for the French military to get information about what is going on at Camp Alpha Yaya. ¶4. (SBU) Idi Amin is perceived to be well educated and intelligent with significant support from the rank and file within the military. The late President Conte had him under surveillance for years on suspicion of coup plotting. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The fact that the CNDD has started arresting individuals from within its own ranks illustrates the depth of the divisions within the Council. International press reported that a second CNDD military officer, Commander Biro Conde, was arrested at the same time, although this information has not been confirmed. If Idi was indeed pushing for a quick transition and respect for human rights, as many sources indicate, his arrest suggests that Dadis and other members of the CNDD may have other priorities. END COMMENT. RASPOLIC