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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000489 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2017 
TAGS: PGOV ASEC PINS MARR GV
SUBJECT: GUINEA'S MILITARY ENGAGED IN NATIONWIDE PROTEST 
 
Classified By: Political Officer Jessica Davis Ba. Reasons 1.4 (b) and 
(d). 
 
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Summary 
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¶1.  (C) On May 2-3, military officers and soldiers on bases 
and military barracks throughout Guinea protested over wages 
and the corruption of senior military officers.  There are 
reports that junior-level officers raided weapons and food 
stores in several military outposts and looted the house of 
General Kerfalla Camara, Chairman of Defense Staff.  There 
are unconfirmed reports of injuries to 18-25 military 
personnel and family members in Kindia and 8 military 
personnel in Labe, most of whom have been hit by stray 
bullets.  Thus far, the majority of the protests have been 
confined to military bases.  Through an anonymous letter 
dubbed the "red bulletin", soldiers are demanding nine years 
of salary arrears totaling approximately 300 billion GNF 
(approximately 97 million USD) and are accusing senior 
military leaders of embezzling the majority of these funds. 
These protests are considered by military and civilians alike 
to be a military-military issue that must be resolved within 
military channels.  On May 5, Guinea's government will hold 
an special cabinet meeting and the National Council of 
Security and Defense will also meet to determine a solution. 
Many expect that senior military officials will be removed 
from their positions as part of a negotiated agreement to 
appease the soldiers.  End Summary. 
 
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Shots Fired Result in Several Injuries 
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¶2.  (C) Throughout the night of May 2, junior-level military 
officers and soldiers on bases in Conakry, Kindia, and Labe 
fired shots into the air in protest over salaries and the 
corruption of senior military officers.  The night of May 3, 
military officers on bases in Kankan and N'Zerekore, and in 
the military barracks in the cities of Macenta, Gueckedou, 
Kissidougou, and Faranah joined the protest.  We have 
received reports from all of these cities that soldiers fired 
shots into the air beginning at approximately 2100 hours and 
ending at approximately 0300 the next morning.  There are 
reports from Conakry and Kankan that shots continue to be 
fired this morning, May 4.  The majority of these protests 
are confined to military bases and barracks.  However, 
embassy staff confirmed hearing shots fired into the air in 
residential neighborhoods in the Conakry suburbs. 
 
¶3.  (C) We confirmed with a senior advisor to the Chief of 
the Army Health Service that, as of May 3 evening, there were 
at least 18 people injured in Kindia and 8 injured in Labe. 
International press have reported that at least 25 people 
were injured in Kindia.  We have received no reports of 
deaths.  The majority of the casualties are military officers 
and members of their families residing on military bases who 
have been hit by stray bullets.  We have received no reports 
of soldiers firing upon one another. 
 
¶4.  (C) In addition to firing shots, disgruntled soldiers 
have looted arms and food stores on several military bases. 
In Kindia, we received reports that, on the night of May 2, 
soldiers wearing hoods looted and ransacked the house of 
General Kerfalla Camara, Chairman of Defense Staff.  Another 
private property belonging to General Kerfalla was previously 
destroyed by civilian protesters in February during the 
general strike and associated violence. 
 
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Generational Split at the Heart of Military Protest 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
¶5.  (C) The official impetus for the soldiers' protest is to 
draw attention to military pay issues.  As an appeasement 
measure during the general strike and state of siege earlier 
this year, President Lansana Conte promoted the majority of 
military officers and soldiers, and promised additional 
benefits.  The measures temporarily calmed tensions within 
the military evidenced by a widening drift between junior and 
senior-level officers.  When the soldiers did not see the 
promised raises in their salaries at the end of April, they 
organized in protest and refused to accept their salary 
envelopes.  Via cell-phone, they organized protests on bases 
throughout the country to bring attention to their plight. 
No individual or group of officers have identified themselves 
as leaders of the protest.  The present flare-up is another 
phase of a long-standing conflict over salaries, promotions, 
and benefits within the military. 
 
¶6.  (C) Over the last two months, an anonymous letter dubbed 
 
CONAKRY 00000489  002 OF 002 
 
 
the "red bulletin" has been making its rounds on military 
bases claiming that soldiers are owed at least 300 billion 
GNF (approximately 97 million USD), representing nine years 
of salary arrears.  The letter accuses the top military brass 
of having embezzled the majority of these funds, now making 
the payments to each soldier impossible.  Our contacts within 
the military confirm that while the soldiers are demanding 
salary increases, they are more interested in changing the 
top military guard.  One mid-level officer told us that 
soldiers have closely followed the March appointment of a 
consensus government and the personnel and policy changes 
that are currently afoot within all ministries.  He said the 
junior-level officers want to see the same changes within the 
military that they have witnessed in civilian sectors. 
 
¶7.  (C) At present, this conflict is regarded by both 
military and civilian leaders as a military-military issue 
that must be resolved within the channels of the Ministry of 
Defense.  This is the same sentiment being expressed 
upcountry, although civilian leaders are anxious to bring an 
end to the standoff, fearing that it could ignite latent 
tensions from the strikes and related violence earlier this 
year.  Poloff spoke with Emmanuel Felemou, Bishop of Kankan, 
on May 5 who confirmed shots fired by military officers 
throughout the previous night.  Felemou said the shooting 
kept most residents awake and in fear and at present, many 
are staying indoors to avoid any violence.  Although stray 
bullets have landed in several homes, he reports no injuries. 
 The Bishop echoed what other Guineans have expressed, "We 
hope the reach a conclusion soon -- Guinea cannot afford 
another wave of violence." 
 
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Comment 
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¶8.  (C) This most recent string of protests is a reflection 
of the generational divisions that characterize Guinea's 
military.  Junior-level officers and rank-and-file soldiers 
are demanding more pay and benefits that they argue have been 
embezzled and misappropriated by corrupt senior military 
leaders.  While the crisis is currently being contained 
within military bases and barracks, some Conakry residents 
fear that civilians might soon join the fray, taking 
advantage of an opportunity to exact revenge on military 
officers who have not been punished for their involvement in 
crimes during the general strike of June 2005 and the 
January-February 2007 strike and state of siege.  On May 5, 
the National Council of Security and Defense and Guinea's 
cabinet are holding meeting to chart a way out of the current 
crises.  Our interlocutors have told us to expect the 
dismissal of many senior military officials.  We believe the 
majority of Guinea's leaders want to avoid at all costs 
anything that could threaten the new fledging government.  On 
the other hand, there are many entrenched interests who would 
welcome a crisis to derail the reforms the new government is 
desperately trying to implement. 
MCDONALD