PRESIDENT KOROMA SPEAKS PUBLICLY ON GUINEA

C O N F I D E N T I A L FREETOWN 000388 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W (JHUNTER) E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL PINS PINR GV SL SUBJECT: PRESIDENT KOROMA SPEAKS PUBLICLY ON GUINEA REF: FREETOWN 309 Classified By: Political/Economic Officer Amy LeMar for reasons 1.4 (b/ d) ¶1. (U) President Koroma held a press conference on September 29 to discuss his participation in the UNGA. Members of the media used the opportunity to pose questions to the President about the situation in Guinea, which he called a "critical development." He stated that he is "still digesting" the September 28 events, and is observing and monitoring the situation closely. He noted that the international community, Mano River Union (MRU),and ECOWAS must stay engaged, and said that the chairs of ECOWAS and the MRU are being called upon to put in place "mechanisms to keep things from deteriorating further." Koroma said that he is endeavoring to contact Guinean leadership to remind them that they must "help restore (the country) to normalcy, as they promised." Koroma interrupted his press event to take a call from Guinea (which he did not elaborate upon when he returned),and then departed with the Guinean Ambassador and his interpreter in tow at the conclusion of the conference. ¶2. (C) Koroma had multiple opportunities to condemn the September 28 killings, but failed to do so. The President has never publicly criticized the junta, and at times has even seemed to ingratiate himself to Dadis and his people (reftel). His unwillingness to condemn the unwarranted violence demonstrate that Dadis can continue pushing the envelope as far as his neighbor is concerned - Koroma will likely only speak out against the junta if their problems spill into Sierra Leone, or if they threaten Sierra Leone's territorial integrity. This is a disappointing stance for a President who lauds the importance of democracy, and governs a country that itself experienced the devastating effects of military coups and unjust governance. Koroma's reticence to show his mettle to Dadis and the sub-region in the face of recent events demonstrates once again that he will only rock the boat when the resultant waves are felt far from his shores. On this particular issue, however, the press and public may not allow Koroma the luxury of neutrality; Sierra Leoneans are concerned about the violence, both due to their almost familial closeness to Guinea, and to the possibility that it could easily lead to instability here. End comment. FEDZER