POLICE SETS PIPELINE ABLAZE: EXPLOSION KILLS 11,

C O N F I D E N T I A L FREETOWN 000109 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W (JHUNTER/ESPRUILL) E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL KJUS SL SUBJECT: POLICE SETS PIPELINE ABLAZE: EXPLOSION KILLS 11, INJURES MORE REF: FREETOWN 99 Classified By: Ambassador June Carter Perry for reasons 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) Summary: On March 22, the pipeline supplying oil to the National Petroleum terminal, a pipeline often illegally tapped by the local community of Kissy-Quarry, sprang a significant leak. According to various sources, Sierra Leone Police (SLP) officers were unable to contain the small crowd that gathered to collect the leaking oil, and fearing that the crowd would intensify in size and excitement, fired tear gas canisters in the air. When the crowd failed to heed the warning shots, SLP fired tear gas directly into the crowd, setting the oil alight. The resulting explosion has claimed 11 lives so far, and critically injured many others. Though the community is relatively calm on March 23, many people expressed anger towards the SLP, particularly due to denials by their leadership that their actions caused the explosion. This incident, coming so soon after the altercations between the APC and SLPP on March 13 and 16 (reftel),could have further ramifications on Freetown's shaky hold on stability. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) The pipeline, running through the community of Kissy-Quarry (Note: This is likely a squatter community, springing into existence after the pipeline was built. End note),has long been tapped by locals for their personal use and black-market sales. According to community members, SLP officers assigned to guard the pipeline frequently engage in tapping themselves, and do little to stop others from doing so. On March 22, the pipeline sprang a sizable leak (Note: Post cannot ascertain if the leak occurred due to pipe degradation or deliberate action. End note),and a crowd of approximately 20-25 people gathered. The SLP allegedly recognized the potential danger of the growing crowd, as well as the possibility that a large amount of stolen oil would alert the oil companies of the small-scale tapping. Officers failed to contain the crowd with verbal warnings, and began firing tear gas in the air. When this had little effect, the SLP fired tear gas into the crowd. The oil ignited, and the ensuing explosion instantly killed six people, and injured more than a dozen more, at least five of whom later died. Several homes in the area were also damaged. ¶3. (C) The SLP denied any culpability for the explosion, stating that their operation to clear the area took place two hours before it occurred. It seems unlikely, however, that the SLP would try to move a crowd, fail in their attempts, and then leave an area they are specifically assigned to patrol. The Kissy-Quarry community stated that the SLP are now using the incident as an excuse to round-up all the young men in the area, arrest them for dubious reasons and loot their homes. An emboff saw SLP officers taking speakers and other items from a residence, with no clear explanation for why they were doing so. Despite their denials, the SLP will likely conduct an inquiry into the events, especially since two SLP officers were killed in the explosion. ¶4. (C) Comment: Community members expressed to emboffs that they are in mourning for their lost loved ones, and are angry at the SLP for causing the explosion, denying culpability, and using the tragedy as an excuse to indiscriminately arrest and steal. Despite the heightened political sensitivities due to party altercations, however, the community appears to bear no ill will towards the government. Nearly 80% of Kissy-Quarry supports the APC party, and though the SLP could be seen as a branch of the ruling party, the community is not currently linking one to the other. President Koroma visited the victims in hospital on March 22, furthering the good will Kissy-Quarry has for him and his government. The SLPP, however, will likely use this situation as another example of the SLP running amok and the government's failure or ambivalence towards controlling them. Based on the information presented thus far, this assessment seems fair. That said, further political antagonism is antithetical to what is currently needed to ensure peace and stability. Post will monitor how this incident is relayed in the press and public forums, but we fear that this will only spur both parties to more vehement rhetoric, and, possibly, more violence. End Comment. PERRY