21 May 2008
Conakry — In a move which could potentially plunge Guinea into political and social turmoil, President Lansana Conté sacked his internationally-backed prime minister Lansana Kouyaté on 20 May, replacing him with long-time ally Ahmed Tidjane Souaré.
The change over was ordered by presidential decree and announced on the state-run television's evening news.
Disturbances and protests followed in the town of Kankan in the east of Guinea, which is dominated by people from Kouyaté ethnic group.
Violent protests were reported in Conakry's Madina and Matoto neighbourhoods but they were quashed by police and no deaths have so far been reported.
Observers had expected President Conté to keep Kouyaté at least until legislative elections in December 2008.
"There had been rumours in the newspapers that this might happen but it is still a surprise," opposition politician Mohamad Diane told IRIN.
"It is unclear if it will lead to further crisis," he added.
The day after the announcement, on 21 May, shops and businesses were open in Conakry and other urban centres, except Kankan were locals reported that shops were closed and the atmosphere tense.
Kouyaté, a former international diplomat, had been appointed prime minister in February 2007 as part of an ECOWAS-brokered deal to end weeks of bloody protests and strikes over the cost of living, which then turned into a call for President Conté to end his 24-year rule.
Mobilised by powerful trade unions and opposition leaders, Guineans took to the streets five times between 2006 and 2007 although there were no protests in 2008 despite even greater rises in the cost of living.
"The trade union movement is now weak and factionalised," said an analyst who did not want to be named, "and it has been partly co-opted by the government".
A key leader trade union leader, Hadja Rabiatou Sérah Diallo, declined to give a comment to IRIN but said the unions would make a formal statement "once a new government has been formed".
People have expressed disappointment in Kouyaté. "After 15 months in power he didn't really make much difference," said Alpha Oumar Sy Savané, an international business consultant.
"True, he did improve relations with the Bretton Woods institutions but things like water and electricity are in the same state as before, or even worse," he said.
"And the cost of living got a lot worse."
Oumou Barry, a civil servant, agreed and said it was time to find a new approach. Many people believe that Conté's decision was the right one, he said.
A Western diplomat in Conakry who did not want to be named said, "People are in a watch-and-wait mode".
Foreign donors had started increasing funding to the country, with further aid contingent on the success and transparency of legislative elections in December.
The representative of one European donor country in Guinea said it is too early to say what the impact of the dismissal will be.
"Donors are consulting each other and will coordinate over the next few days to decide the next steps," the official said.
[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations ]
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How to fill the power vacuum in Guinea Conte had been inactive for sometimes now, the prime minister, the secretary general and the leader of the general assembly that wish to stay remain in power now that they deemed it constitutional, are the same people that have carry on this mess for a long time. For the few past years, these are people that have been running the country without any regards to the needs of the people. They all favor the way Guinea has been ruled since they didnt have to be accountable to anyone, Checks and balances do not apply to these politicians so letting them continue in name of peaceful transfer of power will not do Guinea any good. They may arrange some kind of election in the distance future but will make sure they win at any cost. The military on the other hand cant be trusted to take power in a way they wish now since the Guinean army is one of the most unprofessional, corrupt army that have killed many civilians during peaceful riots in Guinea and are highly divided along ethnic lines.
The west (The US, France and others) has failed guinea as they have let Conte carried on this madness for years without really doing anything about it. Guinea is blessed with huge deposit of rich minerals but it remains one of the poorest countries in world, while the masses continue to suffer, (three basic meals a day is luxury for the privileged few) Western companies are doing very well in Guinea. Government contracts are not negotiated in a way to benefit the country and the little funds that were generated, went to Conte, his friends and other high-ranking members of his government that wish to stay the course. As western interests were highly protected under the Conte regime, it doesnt seem they would care much if Contes people continue.
ECOWAS, AU, and UN need to step in now, hold a summit with all stake Guinean holders in, negotiate an inclusive transition that includes everyone or most Guinean tribes, set dates of free and fair elections and make sure elections are really carried on free and fairly. While its important to have peaceful transfer of power in , politicians and the military vetting for power now dont represent the interests of the Guinean people so the international community needs to step in now and if the UN or West doesnt want to move in quickly, AU and ECOWAS need not wait. They helped negotiate the conflicts in Liberia and Sierra Leone so if they are willing, they can resolve the power vacuum in Guinea peacefully in the interest of the masses.
How to fill the power vacuum in Guinea Conte had been inactive for sometimes now, the prime minister, the secretary general and the leader of the general assembly that wish to stay remain in power now that they deemed it constitutional, are the same people that have carry on this mess for a long time. For the few past years, these are people that have been running the country without any regards to the needs of the people. They all favor the way Guinea has been ruled since they didnt have to be accountable to anyone, Checks and balances do not apply to these politicians so letting them continue in name of peaceful transfer of power will not do Guinea any good. They may arrange some kind of election in the distance future but will make sure they win at any cost. The military on the other hand cant be trusted to take power in a way they wish now since the Guinean army is one of the most unprofessional, corrupt army that have killed many civilians during peaceful riots in Guinea and are highly divided along ethnic lines.
The west (The US, France and others) has failed guinea as they have let Conte carried on this madness for years without really doing anything about it. Guinea is blessed with huge deposit of rich minerals but it remains one of the poorest countries in world, while the masses continue to suffer, (three basic meals a day is luxury for the privileged few) Western companies are doing very well in Guinea. Government contracts are not negotiated in a way to benefit the country and the little funds that were generated, went to Conte, his friends and other high-ranking members of his government that wish to stay the course. As western interests were highly protected under the Conte regime, it doesnt seem they would care much if Contes people continue.
ECOWAS, AU, and UN need to step in now, hold a summit with all stake Guinean holders in, negotiate an inclusive transition that includes everyone or most Guinean tribes, set dates of free and fair elections and make sure elections are really carried on free and fairly. While its important to have peaceful transfer of power in , politicians and the military vetting for power now dont represent the interests of the Guinean people so the international community needs to step in now and if the UN or West doesnt want to move in quickly, AU and ECOWAS need not wait. They helped negotiate the conflicts in Liberia and Sierra Leone so if they are willing, they can resolve the power vacuum in Guinea peacefully in the interest of the masses.
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Active Discussions: Coup Bid After Death of Lansana Conté