AFRICA/GUINEA - “The solution to Guinea's problems is to be found in Guinea, through the efforts of Guineans to promote dialogue,” writes President of Guinean Bishops' Conference

Conakry (Agenzia Fides) – A pressing invitation to dialogue among all Guinean parties was made by Archbishop Vincent Coulibaly of Conakry, President of the Guinean Bishops' Conference, in a message to the nation which was also published by the local press.
Archbishop Coulibaly highlighted the concern of the Bishops for the serious political crisis that has been unleashed with the coups of December 2008, which worsened in September following a bloody repression of a protest led by the opposition (see Fides 12/10/2009). The Archbishop of Conakry recalled his participation in the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops, mentioning that the situation in Guinea runs the risk of turning into one of the crises lived by other African nations: “Recalling the moving testimonies of the Bishops of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda during the Synod, I wonder if we may not be in danger of having the same happen to us.”
Archbishop Coulibaly expresses “the solidarity of the Church with our suffering people” and highlights that “no injustice, no attack on peace, on life, on man's fundamental rights can remain indifferent in the Church's eyes.”
Reporting on the conclusions of the Synod, the President of the Guinean Bishops' Conference highlights that it depends on Guineans to take the future in their hands and be on guard against the possible foreign interferences in the Guinean crisis, which are dictated by the desire to exploit the immense wealth of the country, encouraging their “balkanization” (a term used in the Democratic Republic of Congo as well, regarding the violence in the eastern part of the country). “Guineans should overcome their differences through dialogue. This is the invitation that the Catholic Church in Africa and Madagascar made in a message of solidarity on October 15, 2009: 'We beg the political and military leaders to truly place themselves at the service of their people, attending to all the social levels, especially the poor.' The solution to Guinea's problems is to be found in Guinea, through the efforts of Guineans to promote dialogue.”
Archbishop Coulibaly concluded his message by encouraging the military regime, the opposition, and civil society to negotiate to help Guinea emerge from its crisis. The Archbishop of Conakry also asks representatives of foreign countries in Guinea to abstain from any illicit interference and to observe “strict neutrality.” Lastly, he makes an appeal asking that religion not be used for political ends: “I ask the protagonists of the crisis not to speak on behalf of religious leaders nor use religion for their own interests.” (LM) (Agenzia Fides 4/11/2009)