Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09FREETOWN383
2009-09-25 12:03:00
SECRET
Embassy Freetown
Cable title:  

GUINEA CLAIMS SL "MERCENARIES" SEEK TO OVERTHROW

Tags:  PGOV PREL PINR PINS GV SL 
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VZCZCXRO4438
RR RUEHPA
DE RUEHFN #0383 2681203
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
R 251203Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2896
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
S E C R E T FREETOWN 000383 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W (JHUNTER)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/25/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR PINS GV SL
SUBJECT: GUINEA CLAIMS SL "MERCENARIES" SEEK TO OVERTHROW
THEIR GOVERNMENT

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

S E C R E T FREETOWN 000383

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W (JHUNTER)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/25/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR PINS GV SL
SUBJECT: GUINEA CLAIMS SL "MERCENARIES" SEEK TO OVERTHROW
THEIR GOVERNMENT

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


1. (S/NF) Poloff received information from a highly-placed
security contact that the Guinean junta suspects an army of
Sierra Leonean "mercenaries" will attempt to overthrow their
regime. A letter sent from the junta to the Sierra Leonean
Office of National Security (ONS) during the week of
September 14 stated that they had information that
approximately 4,000 mercenaries are currently being trained
in the Kono District. The letter did not provide information
about who the junta believes recruited, financed, or is
providing the training to the Sierra Leoneans.


2. (S/NF) In response, the ONS conducted an investigation in
the district, and determined that no such training is planned
or has taken place. The junta will receive a response letter
and video tapes of interviews conducted in Kono in due
course. The ONS will also offer to host a Guinean delegation
to discuss the allegations and investigation.


3. (S/NF) Comment: Security contacts in Freetown are cynical,
and believe that the junta will not survive the calendar
year. They found the idea of a mercenary force being
developed in Kono laughable, and believe that the Guineans
made these allegations to lay the groundwork for future
cross-border infringements on their part: the Sierra Leoneans
were reportedly very vocal with their neighbors about their
concern regarding an alleged invasion of their airspace by
two Guinean helicopters earlier this month. The current GoSL
position is to engage with the junta to preserve stability in
the border regions, but made it known to Guinea that it does
not intend to allow the Guineans to abuse that engagement by
fomenting falsehoods or violating Sierra Leonean sovereignty
for its own political ends. End Comment.
FEDZER