Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Conakry (Agenzia Fides) – At least 10 have died in the fighting that broke out between military and policemen in a revolt in the Republic of Guinea. The police are protesting for their withheld salary payments. A similar protest on the part of soldiers was resolved after President Lansana Conté personally intervened to assure the withheld amounts were paid.
Following the example of the military soldiers, the police took to the streets in protest. In this case, they were the same soldiers who just two weeks ago had been creating chaos and disorder in the country, who were ordered to attack the police outposts of the rebel policemen. In addition to the dead and wounded, there was also sacking carried out by the soldiers. The local press affirms that army transport vehicles were spotted carrying mobile phones and other goods from the police stations. Nearby civilian properties were also vandalized. With the pretext that they sought to arrest policemen trying to hide their identity by dressing in plain clothes, check-points were set up in public shopping centers. A similar situation occurred during the soldier’s revolt that took place in recent weeks and has been denounced by local Church sources in contact with Agenzia Fides (see Fides 30/5/2008). In a joint declaration, the Catholic Church and Protestant communities critiqued the disproportionate use of force and the environment of violence that has arisen in the country.
President Conte ordered the unconditional release of police officers under arrest and General Chief of Staff Diarra Camara apologized to the public for “the recent violence.” Meanwhile, the new government was established, among which is a fairly small representation of the opposition. The new executive power will take the place of the past government that was led by former Premier Lansana Kouyate, recently withdrawn from office by President Conte.
The protests, however, have not ceased. Now it is the teacher’s turn, as they go on strike in protest of withheld salaries and in favor of a salary raise.
The crisis in Guinea is political and economic. To begin with, there is a public desire for authentic change of the government dominated by President Conte, who has been in power for over 20 years). Then, there is the added rise in basic food prices, which has worsened the already precarious economic conditions of the population. Both crises are related: the corruption and poor management are an obstacle in the economic development of a country that has important resources at its fingertips; resources like bauxite, the principal ore of aluminum. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 20/6/2008)
