AFRICA/GUINEA - Unions threaten to strike unless a prime minister is appointed by 12 February

Conakry (Agenzia Fides) - Guinean unions and opposition groups threaten to strike unless President Lansana Conté appoints a new Prime Minister by 12 February. The promise to appoint the premier, pleasing to the opposition, was decisive in bringing to an end the general strike and public protests which held Guinea at a standstill for 18 days, 10 to 27 January (see Fides 20 and 23 January 2007). Clashes between police and demonstrators left at least sixty people dead and many others injured. The general strike blocked the vital mining sector preventing the exportation of bauxite, the country’s chief source of income.
The strike was stopped on 27 January following an agreement with the President. The main point of the agreement being the appointment of a new prime minister with ample powers, a new and honest man, as requested by the unions and the opposition.
Since the country reached independence in 1958, the role of the head of government has always belonged to the president of the nation. The present head of state Conté is elderly (72 years) and in poor health, no longer strong enough to govern. The new figure of Premier will have a 3 year term during a period of transition, he will head the government and have the power to appoint and dismiss government ministers. At the end of the transition period political elections will be called. Anther important point of the agreement was lower prices for fuel and rice.
The union leaders complain to the president that since 27 January the only decree issued regarded attributions of the head of state. Nothing else has been seen and no indications have bee given about the appointment of the Premier. The unions decided to send the president an ultimatum. For a long time the people have been calling for better living conditions because of inflation, partly due to the high cost of fuel and the weak local currency, and the high rate of unemployment, while Guinea possesses resources which make it a potentially rich country. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 6/2/2007 righe 30 parole 374)