VZCZCXRO5098
PP RUEHPA
DE RUEHRY #0571/01 2741609
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 301609Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2978
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000571 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/30/2018 
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PREL GV
SUBJECT: YOUTH CREATE NEW OPPOSITION POLITICAL PARTY 
 
REF: A. CONAKRY 565 
     ¶B. CONAKRY 538 
     ¶C. CONAKRY 520 
     ¶D. CONAKRY 525 
 
Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D 
 
¶1.  (SBU) SUMMARY. A recently established political party for 
youth, the NFD, claims to have already issued more than 1000 
membership cards in just a little over a month.  The party is 
led by a respected civil society youth leader turned 
politician who played a prominent role in the 2007 tripartite 
negotiations.  Party leaders appear to be looking to enter 
Guinea,s crowded political scene in a big way, aiming to win 
one quarter of the seats in the National Assembly.  This new 
political party may be a political manifestation of youths, 
ongoing efforts to coalesce and find a common voice.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
¶2.  (U) On September 18, Poloff met with Mouctar Diallo, the 
president of the newly registered opposition political party 
New Democratic Forces (NFD).  According to Diallo, the party 
submitted its initial paperwork in January 2008 and was 
formally recognized by the Guinean Government on May 22 just 
before Prime Minister Souare appointed his new cabinet.  The 
NFD organized a ceremony on August 9 to officially launch the 
party. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Before turning to the political arena, Mouctar 
Diallo served as the representative for youth within the 
National Council of Civil Society Organizations, the umbrella 
association of Guinean civil society groups.  During the 
strikes in 2007, he was widely perceived as a prominent and 
outspoken youth leader who actively participated in the 
tripartite negotiations.  Diallo told Poloff that he 
continues to work closely with youth leaders from a wide 
range of civil society organizations, and that his party was 
created specifically to address youth interests. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) According to Diallo, various youth leaders agreed 
that Guinea,s youth are increasingly marginalized from the 
political process while extreme poverty and weak governance 
continue to undermine Guinea,s potential wealth and 
prosperity.  Arguing that none of the existing political 
parties (of which there are at least 49) effectively 
represent youth interests, the young leaders decided to 
create their own party.  Diallo added that the other 
opposition parties are too closely tied to ethnicity and the 
youths wanted to create a political party that would be 
ethnically balanced. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) When asked about the party,s outreach into the 
interior, Diallo said that the party currently has a point of 
contact in almost all of the country,s 33 prefectures, and 
that they are working to set up official party 
representatives.  According to Diallo, the party has already 
sold over 1000 membership cards in Conakry alone since they 
launched a little over one month ago.  Diallo added that they 
have been receiving numerous phone calls from all over the 
country, as well as from Guineans living abroad, expressing 
support for the party. 
 
¶6.  (SBU) &Many people see us as a welcome alternative,8 
Diallo told Poloff.  He emphasized that the party has worked 
to avoid ethnocentrism, which has made it attractive to a 
wide range of people.  Diallo, a Peuhl, acknowledged however, 
that the party claims more Peuhl members than members from 
other ethnic groups, explaining that &the Peuhls are more 
numerous in Guinea so it is normal for us to have more Peuhl 
members.8 
 
¶7.  (C) With respect to an underground youth movement for 
change (reftels), Diallo said that he is &informed8 and has 
been quietly involved in the movement behind the scenes. 
&People wanted me to help lead the movement, but because of 
my political affiliation, I saw it as a conflict of 
interest,8 he said.  Diallo added &I am not visible in the 
movement, but I participate and I try to influence ) the 
country must change, we cannot continue like this.8 
 
¶8.  (SBU) Diallo said that the NFD plans to fully participate 
in Guinea,s delayed legislative elections, and that they are 
hoping to win about one quarter of the seats in the National 
Assembly.  When asked about decision making mechanisms within 
the party, Diallo emphasized that the NFD is inherently 
democratic.  &Just because I am president does not mean that 
I will automatically be a candidate in the elections,8 he 
said.  Diallo pointed out that the party plans to hold a 
national congress in November in order to develop its 
candidate list and prepare for elections. 
 
CONAKRY 00000571  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
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COMMENT 
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¶9.  (SBU)  Mouctar Diallo,s name has come up frequently in 
recent Poloff discussions involving key youth leaders.  He 
has been described positively and with respect as an eloquent 
speaker with strong leadership skills.  These comments have 
come from contacts of various ethnic backgrounds.  With 
several strong opposition parties already on the scene, the 
NFD may have a tough time breaking into the political arena. 
At the same time, the youth have the potential to be a 
powerful force for change, but their biggest challenge 
continues to be their failure to coalesce and find a common 
voice.  For the NFD, adequate financing will be critical to 
getting their message out although support from the Guinean 
Diaspora may help them out in this regard.  Mouctar Diallo 
may be someone to watch in the months ahead.  END COMMENT. 
RASPOLIC