VZCZCXYZ0009
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRY #0617 2751753
ZNR UUUUU ZZH (CCY ADXBD51C4 MSI6879 540A)
R 021753Z OCT 09 ZDS
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4114
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNIOAN COLLECTIVE
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000617 
 
SIPDIS 
 
C O R R E C T E D  COPY - MISS-NUMBERED PARA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC PHUM PGOV PREL GV
SUBJECT: CONAKRY PROTESTS OVER MISSING BODIES 
 
REF: CONAKRY 00615 
 
¶1. (U) Summary. Today marks 51 years since Guinea declared 
independence from France. It also marks the fourth day since 
nearly 200 Guineans lost their lives during violent 
confrontations with the military. Their bodies have yet to be 
recovered by families. The CNDD's commemoration of 
Independence Day and its plan to release 58 bodies to 
Conakry's Faisal mosque backfired, and protesters trickled 
into the streets of Conakry. END SUMMARY. 
 
 
¶2. (U) When CNDD President Moussa Dadis Camara went to lay 
the ceremonial wreath at the Martyr's Monument, a small crowd 
gathered to yell, "Dadis is useless! Zero! Zero!" The event 
was peaceful, and the protestors and security forces alike 
remained orderly. Dadis left the area after a brief pause at 
the site. 
 
 
¶3. (U) Less than two hours later, the situation became 
visibly tenser when the CNDD opened the Grand Mosque to the 
public for the collection of 58 of their dead (reftel). 
According to witnesses, several thousand Guineans surrounded 
the mosque compound to collect the bodies and demand the 
return of the other missing dead, estimated at over 150. 
 
 
¶4. (U) The situation turned violent when the crowds noticed 
that none of the bodies on display had bullet wounds, 
indicating that the CNDD chose only those who were killed by 
other means. People were also disappointed with not finding 
the bodies of their loved ones. Witnesses say that at least 
20 bodies were decomposed so dramatically that their 
relatives could not identify them. When Koutoubu Sano, the 
CNDD Minister for Religious Affairs, gave his condolences, 
the crowd reportedly physically attacked him. After only a 
few seconds, Imams from the mosque were able to disperse the 
crowd peacefully. The police then sprayed tear gas inside the 
mosque to clear the area. Sano was not seriously injured. 
 
¶5. (U) Several witnesses at the event report that the protest 
turned more violent after the protestors left the mosque. 
Apparently, several of the demonstraters attacked the Imams 
who they said were "just covering for the CNDD." The security 
forces then beat back the attackers back with nightsticks and 
warning shots fired into the air. Though several people were 
injured, there are no deaths reported from the event as of 
yet. 
 
 
¶6. (U) Embassy continues to receive reports of growing 
demonstrations in the Bellvue and Madina market area, 
apparently prompted by the incident at the mosque. Many of 
the victims' families are reportedly marching toward Camp 
Alpha Yaya to demand the bodies back from the CNDD. Although 
the Forces Vives had planned another demonstration for 1500 
this afternoon, the situation at the mosque, coupled with the 
fact that all text messages have been disabled since this 
morning, reportedly hindered the organization of the rally. 
 
BROKENSHIRE