VZCZCXRO0792
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHFN #0095 0751653
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 161653Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2519
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS FREETOWN 000095 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/W, DS/ICI/CI, DS/IP/AF AND DS/IP/ITA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC CASC PREL PTER SL
SUBJECT: FREETOWN EAC MEETING MARCH 16, 2009 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary: Ambassador convened the Emergency Action 
Committee (EAC) on March 16, 2009 to review the security 
situation in Freetown following politically-motivated riots 
on March 13 and March 16. The EAC was chaired by the AMB, and 
attended by DCM, RSO, POL, MGMT, DAO, CONS, APAO, CLO, and 
Legatt. End Summary. 
 
¶2. (SBU) On March 13, the Sierra Leonean People's Party 
headquarters (SLPP) was stoned by a mob of supporters from 
the governing all Peoples Congress (APC), and several 
vehicles were burned on the compound. Following a relatively 
calm weekend, violence resurged on March 16, with APC party 
members allegedly resuming their attack on SLPP headquarters 
and looting the premises. Reports of gunfire were received by 
multiple contacts. The SLP has cordoned off sections of the 
downtown area, and all businesses and government buildings in 
the vicinity are closed. Threats of violence are rampant, 
with journalists and SLPP officials allegedly receiving death 
threats from APC supporters, and party members from both 
sides in other parts of the country stating their intentions 
to take retaliatory action. The Ambassador met with the APC 
Foreign Minister to express the need for cessation of party 
violence and later met with the SLPP President to reinforce 
this message. The UN Executive Representative of the 
Secretary General concurred with the Ambassadors 
recommendation that the diplomatic corps meet the morning of 
March 17th with both parties' leadership. 
 
¶3. (U) The EAC reviewed post's security posture and 
determined: 
 
¶A. Lungi Airport is still operating on a regular schedule. 
¶B. Embassy is still open to all staff. 
¶C. Local Guard Force, residential and facilities are fully 
staffed. 
¶D. Key traffic routes within the city are still open, 
although various streets are closed off to both pedestrian 
and vehicular traffic near the prison, SLPP headquarters, and 
surrounding areas. 
 
¶4. (U) The EAC decided to: 
 
¶A. Maintain increased security patrols around residences, 
Mission facilities, and vehicle routes used by Mission staff. 
¶B. Issue a warden message advising American citizens to: 
avoid political gatherings and the downtown area until the 
situation has been ameliorated; exercise general caution; and 
respect police blockades and instructions. 
 
¶5. (U) Post will continue to monitor the situation. At this 
time no direct threat to American or Foreign citizens has 
occurred. 
PERRY