Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09FREETOWN263
2009-07-08 15:10:00
SECRET
Embassy Freetown
Cable title:  

SL HANDLES FAKE COUP THREAT, EXTORTIONIST ARRESTED

Tags:  PGOV PREL PINS PINR SL 
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VZCZCXRO9924
RR RUEHPA
DE RUEHFN #0263 1891510
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
R 081510Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2745
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
S E C R E T FREETOWN 000263 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W (JHUNTER)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINS PINR SL
SUBJECT: SL HANDLES FAKE COUP THREAT, EXTORTIONIST ARRESTED
IN GHANA

Classified By: Political Officer Amy LeMar for reasons 1.4 (b/d)

S E C R E T FREETOWN 000263

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W (JHUNTER)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINS PINR SL
SUBJECT: SL HANDLES FAKE COUP THREAT, EXTORTIONIST ARRESTED
IN GHANA

Classified By: Political Officer Amy LeMar for reasons 1.4 (b/d)


1. (S/NF) Highly-placed sources within the Sierra Leonean
intelligence community shared details on July 7 and 8 of a
fake coup plot and extortion attempt that came to light on
July 2. A presumed Sierra Leonean national approached the
Sierra Leonean High Commissioner to Ghana and shared details
of a planned coup involving ex-combatant mercenaries. The
mercenaries supposedly were situated in two camps in Guinea,
and were waiting for further reinforcements sent by sea in a
"black, white, and yellow" vessel. The individual claimed
that the mercenaries are tied to the President of Burkina
Faso, who allegedly claimed interest in a private meeting
with Guinean junta leaders to want access to Sierra Leonean
mineral resources. The individual told the Sierra Leonean
High Commissioner that he would accept a payment of USD
30,000 to stop the coup attempt.

2.(S/NF) The High Commissioner immediately shared this
information with President Koroma, and an emergency session
of the National Security Council (NSC) was convened. Though
the NSC deemed the threat as non-credible, they elected to
treat it as a preparedness exercise. Border stations,
particularly near Kambia, were put on alert, and a naval
patrol craft was launched to search for the mercenary vessel.
The individual returned to the High Commission on July 6 for
his "payment" and was instead arrested by Ghanaian
intelligence services. Sierra Leone authorities intend to
debrief this individual in Ghana as soon as possible.


3. (S/NF) Comment: Embassy sources consider this incident to
be a success in terms of demonstrating preparedness to a
President who logically fears even whispers related to
possible coups. They are also pleased at the level of
cooperation with Ghanaian officials. Sources indicated that
there are no credible coup threats to Koroma at this time,
but that even extortionist situations like this one can lead
to further, unwanted unrest in the sub-region. End Comment.
FEDZER