VZCZCXRO9339
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHRY #0611 2741453
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 011453Z OCT 09 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4107
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000611 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC ECON PHUM PREL PGOV SOCI GV
SUBJECT: PROTESTS ANTICIPATED TOMORROW IN CONAKRY 
 
¶1. (U) As of 1300, the situation in Conakry is outwardly calm 
with only small disturbances in the neighborhoods of Cosa, 
Hamdallaye, and Bambeto where there is sporadic gunfire and 
small-scale demonstrations. Most of the interior also remains 
quiet, though there is low-level agitation in the northern 
cities of Mamou and Labe. 
 
 
¶2. (SBU) There are no wide-scale demonstrations planned for 
today, as it is being treated as a national day of mourning. 
However, youth contacts and political activists are reporting 
that they are planning a "Red March" for tomorrow morning. 
Apparently several groups comprised of injured victims, 
victim's families, and politically active youth are planning 
to launch a city-wide demonstration tomorrow where they will 
all wear red clothing, to symbolize the dead, and demand the 
bodies back from the military. If they are not allowed to 
march, the groups plan to initiate peaceful neighborhood 
sit-ins. The  Red March is being organized through SMS 
messaging throughout the city. Several contacts have received 
it, including non-Guineans in the business community. 
 
 
¶3. (SBU) Sources within the business community and the Forces 
Vives have indicated that the major labor unions will 
initiate a nation wide strike, effective Monday, October 5. 
According to sources within the unions, they plan to keep the 
strike in affect "until Dadis steps down from power." The 
unions are apparently still working out the specifics of how 
they will execute their campaign. 
 
 
¶4. (U) Guineans flooded the small markets around Conakry this 
morning, as they tried to buy supplies before tomorrow's 
protests. However, many of the vendors remained closed, in 
fear of military looting and attacks. Reportedly, there was a 
crowd gathered at Conakry's largest market all morning, 
waiting for vendors to open their stands. The market women, 
however, expressed their concern for going out in public, in 
the wake of rape allegations against the military. As such, 
the market remains largely closed. 
 
 
¶5. (U) Many gas stations remain closed, and transportation 
has come to a virtual halt. Gas shortages are beginning to 
make even short distance travel very difficult for many 
Guineans. This is hindering the transportation of 
agricultural goods, and is substantially affecting the price 
of the few market goods that are currently being sold. 
 
 
¶6. (U) The interior remains mostly calm, though there have 
been small scale disturbances reported in Mamou and Labe. 
Businesses are still shuttered in the two cities, and there 
are murmurs of the Red March also spreading to those cities 
as well as Faranah. 
 
 
 
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COMMENT 
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¶7. (SBU) People appear to be using today as a way to prepare 
their households and finalize their plans for tomorrow's 
planned protests. The Forces Vives will be coming out with a 
statement within the next few hours (reftel A) that will most 
likely set the tone for the Red March, especially if their 
communique demands Dadis' immediate resignation. The 
Hamdallaye-Bambeto-Cosa neighborhoods remain tense (reftel 
B), and will most likely be flashpoints for any 
demonstrations taking place tomorrow. 
BROKENSHIRE