Conakry (Agenzia Fides) - “It is surprising to see this kind of encounter in our country, with religious leaders and people from all walks of society. We hope that peace may become a way of life, that this reflects the will of everyone,” said Commandant Moussa Keita, Permanent Secretary Minister of the National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD), the military regime that took over power in Guinea following the death of President Lansana Conte in December 2008, in an interreligious encounter promoted by the Community of Saint Egidio.
The conference entitled “Religions and Cultures in Dialogue for a Humanism of Peace,” took place on September 19, in the capital city of Conakry. According to a report sent to Agenzia Fides from organizers, the conference was attended by “over 550 people, of which 150 were official guests and 400 members of the Community of Saint Egidio who shared these beautiful moments for our country, which is currently experiencing a difficult time in its political history.”
Among the participants were Archbishop Vincent Coulibaly of Conakry, Fr. Armel Duteil, President of the Bishops' Commission for Justice and Peace, Angelican Archbishop Albert David Gomez of Conakry, and Ibrahim Bah, First Imam of the Faysal Mosque of Conakry.
The various speakers highlighted the exceptional character of the encounter. Archbishop Coulibaly praised the courage of the Community of Saint Egidio for bringing together religious leaders and men of culture together to reflect on peace through dialogue, defined as a “crucial demand for our country in this time of transition.”
The representative of the Community of Saint Egidio invited participants to see this time of transition as a time to place foundations for a lasting and democratic social development: “There have been many deaths in January and February 2007...We must not forget our brothers and sisters who have lost their lives in the quest for a new order in politics and economics. Every day the gap between the rich and poor widens in our country.” Guinea was governed from 1984-2008 by the regime of President Conte, who did not know how or did not want to take advantage of the considerable quantity of natural resources in the country (especially bauxite and other minerals, in addition to valuable lumber) to stimulate the economy and improve the living conditions of the people. Upon the death of Conte, a military regime took over the power in a non-bloody coups, to keep the deceased President's family from taking over power in the country. The military committee has promised to hold democratic elections, however it has not been recognized by the international community, which has in fact condemned the coups.
In spite of the military committee's campaign among the public and the arrest of several drug traffickers running a lucrative traffic of cocaine through Latin America and Europe, stopping over in Guinea, tensions between part of the population and the new government have increased in recent months. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 25/9/2009)