VZCZCXRO3752
OO RUEHPA
DE RUEHRY #0790/01 3581625
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 231625Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3251
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 0557
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000790 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/23/2018 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PMIL ASEC PHUM GV
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT CONTE DIES, MILITARY ELEMENTS LAUNCH 
COUP D'ETAT 
 
REF: A. CONAKRY 0568 
     ¶B. CONAKRY 0588 
     ¶C. CONAKRY 0620 
     ¶D. CONAKRY 0739 
 
Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D 
 
¶1.  (S) SUMMARY.  At 02:00 on December 23, the Guinean 
Government announced that President Conte had died the 
previous evening.  Shortly thereafter, Embassy began 
receiving reports of military elements launching various 
operations.  By 07:30 it was clear that members of the 
so-called 19th promotion, within the military, had launched a 
coup attempt.  A military spokesperson announced that they 
had seized power and suspended the constitution.  It is as 
yet unclear whether or not the 19th promotion has been able 
to successfully seize and consolidate power.  Conakry is 
relatively quiet and calm, and there have been no reports of 
casualties despite a significant military presence.  The 
situation remains fluid and Embassy continues to monitor 
events closely.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2.  (U) At approximately 02:00 on December 23, Aboubacar 
Sompare, the President of the National Assembly, announced 
over national television that President Conte had died the 
previous evening.  Accompanied by Prime Minister Souare and 
the Minister of Defense, Sompare called for the Supreme Court 
to uphold Guinea's constitution, which names the President of 
the National Assembly as the constitutional successor to an 
elected president.  The PM asked that the military maintain 
the country's security, especially at its territorial 
borders.  The PM also announced that the country would 
observe 40 days of national mourning. 
 
¶3.  (S) Following the official broadcast, Embassy officers 
began to receive multiple reports of military movements in 
various parts of the city.  Elements of the so-called 19th 
promotion, which have been plotting a coup d'etat for the 
past three months (reftels), told DATT that they planned to 
launch their operation.  At 04:00, Embassy received reports 
that Red Berets (presidential guards) had taken control of 
Castro Bridge, which controls traffic flow into and out of 
downtown Conakry. 
 
¶4.  (S) At 05:40, approximately 30 military troops stormed 
Radio Television Guinean (RTG) headquarters, which is located 
directly across the street from the Embassy.  Some of the 
soldiers were later identified as members of the 19th 
promotion.  They maintained control of the building until 
approximately 07:45 when they reportedly left for a second 
RTG building because the broadcast equipment in the first 
building was not working properly.  The soldiers generally 
let traffic flow freely on the road, although they were armed 
with rocket propelled grenades and machine guns.  At 06:35, 
contacts within the 19th promotion confirmed to DATT that 
they had launched their plan to take over the government. 
 
¶5.  (U) At 07:30, a military spokesperson identified as 
Captain Moussa Gadiss Camara announced that the military had 
seized power and was suspending the constitution.  He 
declared that the National Assembly and the current 
government, including the prime minister, were being 
dismissed.  He declared the suspension of all political and 
union activity.  Camara said that the military would be 
establishing a transition council, comprised of both military 
and civilian representatives, the composition of which would 
be detailed later in the day.  He emphasized that the new 
government plans to fight rampant corruption.  Camara said 
that an ethnically balanced transition council would name a 
new prime minister to handle administrative affairs, and that 
the council would organize presidential elections. 
Continuing, Camara said that the transitional government 
planned to "restore the authority of the state," liberalize 
the media, and revise the constitution. 
 
¶6.  (S) By mid-morning, Embassy was receiving reports that 
elements of the 19th promotion had successfully seized 
control of three of Conakry's four military camps:  Camp 
Alpha Yaya, Camp Boiro, and Camp Camayenne.  Reports 
indicated that the 19th promotion also had partial control of 
Camp Samory Toure although Red Berets maintained control of 
First Lady Henriette's Conte's house, which is where she and 
President Conte's body are believed to be located.  According 
to contacts, the 19th promotion has arrested all but two of 
Guinea's military generals and have sent out teams to search 
out other "targets," including the prime minister, Conte's 
wives, current ministers, controversial business figure 
Mamadou Syllah, and high-level officials from the ruling 
 
CONAKRY 00000790  002 OF 002 
 
 
Party for Unity and Progress (PUP). 
 
¶7.  (S) A contact told DATT that the coup plotters had sent a 
delegation of accountants, accompanied by armed guards, down 
to the Central Bank early in the morning in order to control 
the flight of financial assets. 
 
¶8.  (S) The 19th promotion appears to have control of a 
significant number of troops, heavy armor, and a significant 
number of Red Berets.  They also appear to have strong 
relations with officers from the police Anti-Crime Brigade 
(BAC) since two BAC vehicles stopped outside RTG and gave 
"high-fives" to the military personnel there this morning. 
 
¶9.  (S) As of 10:00, contacts within the 19th promotion had 
not revealed the name of the individual leading the 
initiative, nor indicated who would ultimately take control 
of the transitional council.  They have reported that mutiny 
leader Claude Pivi is on their side, and under their control. 
 
¶10.  (S) Conversations with youth leaders indicates that the 
youth are well aware of what is going on, but as of yet, are 
distancing themselves from the military operation, despite 
the fact that some of them helped plan the coup.  One youth 
leader told DATT that the 7:30 radio announcement was 
worrisome, and that they are not sure exactly what the 
military plans to implement.  The youth also mentioned that 
the ethnic composition of the proposed transitional council 
could be worrisome, especially since the 19th promotion 
appears to consist primarily of Malinke and Forest tribes. 
 
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COMMENT 
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¶11.  (S) The situation in the capital is relatively calm. 
The streets are quiet and although there have been some 
reports of gunfire, there have been no reports of casualties. 
 Many contacts have indicated in the past that they expected 
the military to intervene when Conte died, and they now 
appear to be cautiously observing how things will play out. 
It as yet unclear whether the 19th promotion has successfully 
seized power.  Sensitive sources indicate that other groups 
may not accept the proposed transitional government, and may 
launch their own counter initiative.  The situation remains 
fluid and the Embassy continues to monitor events slowly. 
Embassy convened an EAC at 9:00, which will be reported 
septel.  A second EAC is planned for 15:00, unless the 
situation necessitates an earlier meeting.  END COMMENT. 
RASPOLIC