Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Conakry (Agenzia Fides) – "A simple traffic accident that has caused an explosion of violence reveals a worsening of Guinean society and, in particular, of that area of the country," a source from the Church in Guinea told Fides after clashes in N'Zérékoré, which have resulted in two deaths and about forty wounded.
N'Zérékoré is a town in Guinea's Forest region, about 1000 km from the capital Conakry, in eastern Guinea. The incidents erupted on Friday, February 5, following a trivial argument between a woman of Guerzé ethnic background, a Christian, who tried to cross a road that was blocked by police for the prayer of Muslim faithful, of Malinke ethnic background, who had not found a place in the nearby mosque. The quarrel then degenerated into clashes between the two ethnic groups. The authorities have imposed a curfew and sent a government delegation to N'Zérékoré, to meet with local religious leaders, both Christian and Muslim. The latter urged the population to remain calm.
"The political tensions of recent months in Guinea have aroused atavistic conflicts among the Malinke Muslims from Mali and Guerzé Christians, but I do not think there is any link to current political events in the country," Fides sources say.
"These tensions related to the division of lands and resources have been exacerbated by the fact that for about 20 years, during the government of President Lansana Conté (1984-2008), the Guinea Forest Region, where N'Zérékoré is located, was abandoned in itself," says Fides' source. "There are no infrastructures or roads, or programs of real development. To travel the 1,000 km that separate N'Zérékoré from the capital, it takes 20 hours. The only existing economic activities are carried forward by a number of multinationals: the area is in the process of deforestation due to the massive destruction of valuable trees by a Chinese company, while an American company exploits the important iron ore deposits. These activities cause severe environmental damage without offering benefits to local communities, such as jobs or the creation of an infrastructure accessible to all. To export the iron ore, for example, they use a private airport operated by the mining company."
To understand the causes of recent violence, (in addition to yesterday's, there were also those of 2006 and 2007) one must have an understanding that goes deeper than a simple description of "clashes between Christians and Muslims." (LM) (Agenzia Fides 8/2/2010)
