VZCZCXRO2341
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHRY #0313/01 1761406
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 241406Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2679
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000313 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12598: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC GV
 
SUBJECT:  KOUNDARA UNPREPARED FOR UPCOMING ELECTIONS 
 
 
¶1. (U) SUMMARY. During a recent trip to Koundara, authorities, civil 
society and CEPI (prefectoral electoral commission) shared concerns 
about upcoming legislative elections, stating that preparations are 
moving slowly with little coordination between the various actors. 
Some expressed concern that if preparations did not begin soon, 
elections would not be feasible this year. CEPI representatives 
acknowledge being behind in preparations as they wait for 
instructions from Conakry before moving forward. While civil society 
appeared to be working closely with the CEPI, the youth associations 
seemed completely disconnected from the process. END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (U) During a trip to Koundara (Middle Guinea) the week of June 2, 
Asst Poloff met with local authorities, police, civil society, youth 
associations and the Independent Prefectoral Electoral Commission 
(CEPI) to discuss progress for the upcoming elections. Asst Poloff 
also met with representatives from a local NGO, who provided their 
perspective on the potential for free and fair legislative elections 
later this year. 
 
----------------------------- 
LOCAL AUTHORITIES DISAGREE ON 
PROGRESS TOWARDS ELECTIONS 
----------------------------- 
 
¶3. (SBU) In separate meetings with Mayor Elhadj Abdoulaye Boiro and 
Secretary General Mamadou Allou Diallo (deputy to the Prefect) of 
Koundara, Asst Poloff raised the topic of elections. The Secretary 
General's initial response was "which elections?" Once his advisors 
clarified, he commented that things were going smoothly and that the 
local CEPI is operational in Koundara. Mr. Diallo asserted that the 
prefectoral authorities are "in charge of organizing elections," but 
that they are working in close partnership with the CEPI. He 
affirmed that he and the prefect are continually reiterating to the 
population their neutrality in the upcoming elections. 
 
¶4. (SBU) The Mayor also commented on elections, saying that from his 
point of view, activities and preparation are moving very slowly. He 
said that the local CECI (Commission Electoral Communal Independent) 
was created to work with the mayor's office to conduct a census. 
However, he said that since the CECI's creation, they have not begun 
coordinating with his office. He expressed concern about the census, 
saying that it must begin immediately or they will have to wait 
until October when the rainy season is finished. He added that if 
they cannot start the census until October, Koundara will not be 
able to have elections this year. 
 
--------------------------------------------- 
CEPI & CIVIL SOCIETY WORKING CLOSELY TOGETHER 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) Asst Poloff held a joint meeting with members of Koundara's 
Independent Prefectoral Electoral Commission (CEPI) and the Civil 
Society Council. Present at the meeting was the President of both 
the CEPI and the Civil Society Council, Ibrahima Diakite, as well as 
members of both organizations. According to Mr. Diakite, the CEPI is 
on track for organizing the elections and currently waiting for the 
former Ministry of Interior and Security (MIS) (Now the Ministry of 
Territorial Administration and Political Affairs) in Conakry to 
provide instructions before they can create a plan of action. Mr. 
Diakite also said that the CEPI cannot begin the census or start 
coordinating with local authorities until they receive instructions 
from the MIS. 
 
¶6. (SBU) During the meeting with members of civil society, the CEPI 
openly disagreed with Mr. Diakite's statements. CEPI members 
complained that they were behind in organizing elections because 
they do not have materials, training, equipment or even a location 
to begin work.  When asked about the rainy season postponing the 
census, Mr. Diakite said it "won't be a problem" while other members 
of CEPI and civil society adamantly disagreed, saying it will be 
impossible to conduct registration in time for elections if they do 
not start now. 
 
¶7. (SBU) All members of CEPI and Civil Society Council agreed that 
the elections would be free, fair and transparent, but also noted 
that civil society needs to play a role and the CENI needs to remain 
free of political influence. One civil society member said that the 
prefect's neutrality will depend on the new cabinet appointments in 
Conakry, specifically the appointment of a new Minister of Interior 
and Security (COMMENT.  The new Minister of Territorial 
Administration was named on June 20.  END COMMENT). Civil Society 
Council members also discussed their role in the upcoming elections. 
Mr. Diakite said the council will encourage people to register and 
choose candidates based on their platforms. He added that the 
council will use a local radio station to disseminate information 
about the elections. A member of the civil society who runs a 
women's association said that her organization is working to support 
women candidates and encouraging women not to be influenced by their 
husbands when choosing candidates. 
 
 
CONAKRY 00000313  002 OF 002 
 
 
--------------------------------- 
YOUTH UNINFORMED AND DISCONNECTED 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶8. (SBU) Asst Poloff met with five members of a youth association in 
Koundara - Association de Jeune Pour le Dvelopment de Badiar. The 
association's Secretary General, Mamadou Saidou Balde, complained 
that the youth have been marginalized and not involved in the 
preparations for the elections. He reported being invited to an 
initial training with IFES (International Foundation for Electoral 
Systems), but said they have not been engaged since then. When asked 
whether the youth association is actively coordinating with the 
CEPI, Mr. Balde said that while he meets with Mr. Diakite often, he 
is still waiting for opportunities for youth to get involved. He 
added that in the past, authorities and political parties in 
Koundara have not been interested in working with the youth 
associations. 
 
¶9. (SBU) When asked whether Mr. Balde is working to get youths on 
the candidate list, Mr. Balde admitted that he "doesn't know how 
candidates are chosen." Mr. Balde said that they rarely receive 
information from Conakry about the elections. 
 
------------------------------ 
NGO CONCERNED ABOUT NUETRALITY 
------------------------------ 
 
¶10. (SBU) Asst Poloff met with Souman Hamidou, program coordinator 
for Guinean Volunteers for Development (VGD), a local NGO that 
focuses on education, health, environment, agriculture, and civil 
society capacity building in Koundara. Mr. Hamidou spoke of the 
organization's programs, which are funded by UNESCO and USAID, 
saying that VGD decided to also start programs on civic education 
this year. He said VGD will sensitize the population and encourage 
people to choose candidates based on clear, objective criteria 
rather than their ethnic background, for example. He said VGD is 
also trying to work with political parties to encourage them to 
engage youth in their activities as well as put youth on their 
candidate lists. 
 
¶11. (SBU) Mr. Hamidou said that while he believes the elections can 
be free, fair and transparent, much will depend on the neutrality of 
the local authorities. He said that he is confident the prefect will 
be neutral, explaining that the prefect has encouraged NGOs and 
civil society to conduct sensitization programs about the elections. 
However, Mr. Hamidou said that he is very concerned about the 
prefect's deputy, Secretary General Mamadou Allou Diallo. He said 
that he is worried Mr. Diallo will use his position and domineering 
personality to influence the elections, adding that Mr. Diallo has 
been in office for years and has much to lose in these elections. 
 
----------------------------------- 
INSTRUCTIONS TO "REACT ACCORDINGLY" 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶12. (SBU) Koundara's Secretary General Mamadou Allou Diallo said 
that Minister of Interior and Security (MIS) has instructed 
prefectoral authorities to maintain peace.  However, he said that 
they do not have sufficient police and gendarmes to address any 
issues that could arise in the event of extensive violence and/or 
unrest.  In separate meetings with Gendarmes Commander Harouna 
Sangare and Police Commissioner Bangaly Deiakitate, both said 
security is their job and that they will work to keep peace. Asked 
about specific preparations for the elections, Mr. Deiakitate said 
that he is recruiting additional police officers prior to the 
election. Mr. Sangare said the Gendarmes are awaiting further 
direction from MIS, but for now they have been instructed to "react 
accordingly." 
 
------- 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
¶13. (SBU) When Asst Poloff askedthe Secretary General questions, he 
seemed hesitnt to respond, often pausing to first glance at oters 
present in the room, including advisors, govenment officials, civil 
society, and CEPI.  He apeared to verbally and nonverbally assert 
his postion, and specifically, his control over the electons 
process.  The Secretary General's comment tht the prefectoral 
authorities are in charge of elctions suggests that civil 
organizations, includng the CEPI, are going to have to assert 
themseles in order to fulfill their intended roles. The fct that 
Mr. Hamidou also independently expressedhis concerns about the 
Secretary General suggestsconcerns about government neutrality in 
Koundara 
END COMMENT. 
 
CARTER