AFRICA/GUINEA - Army mutiny ends: “we are seeing the first signs of positive change” says communications officer of the Catholic archdiocese of Conakry underlining the executive's consideration for the local Church

Tuesday, 8 May 2007

Conakry (Fides Service)- “The crisis has ended and the worst appears to be over” Fr Come Traoré, in charge of communications in the Catholic archdiocese of Conakry, the capital of Guinea where it was feared an army mutiny might upset the country's fragile social and political balance (see Fides 4 May 2007). “The troops accused the army officers of pocketing money assigned for the soldiers' wages. In fact the sum was assigned but then disappeared" the priest told Fides.
The mutineer troops had taken control of army barracks in various parts of the country shooting in the air to draw attention to their protest. The deadlock was broken when prime minister Lansana Kouyaté, on behalf of the Guinean president Lansana Conté, addressed the troops and promised their complaints would be addressed.
“This situation was difficult but for the moment it seems to have settled” said Fr. Come who is confident with regard to the future. “After the crisis January/February and the appointment of a new Premier, a new wind is blowing in Guinea. Work is underway to repair the city's roads and street lighting. People are no longer afraid to refuse the small daily bribe demanded by police at road blocks: they are beginning to understand the meaning of the rule of law”.
“Acknowledgement is due to Premier Kouyaté who succeeded in imposing discipline on his ministers” Fr Come added. “For example ministers and their family members are now not allowed to be sponsors at private ceremonies, marriage etc. which means that public money will no longer be spent on private celebrations”.
Fr Come says the government has adopted a new style of communications: “For the first time ever the Premier convoked a press conference to outline programme of his government. He also announced that the ministers will hold regular 'closed meetings' to discuss matters in peace without the stress of outside pressure”.
“ We are satisfied with the consideration the authorities show for us as Church” the priest said. “The head of the national office for religious affairs had a meeting with Archbishop Vincent Coulibaly of Conakry, and after thanking the Catholic community for continuing its activity during the past few months of crisis, asked if there was anything his Office could do for the local Church”.
“The fact that the local Catholic Church is respected on all sides it clear also from the participation of Muslims in a pilgrimage last Sunday, May 6” says Fr Come. “Thousands walked 150 kilometres from Conakry to Boffa, the site of the church built by the first missionaries when they arrived in 1877. Some coming from distant villages covered as many as 600 kilometres, which shows the deep faith of Guinea's Catholics”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 8/5/2007 righe 42 parole 528)


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