Foreign Policy magazine published its annual Failed States Index. The Index highlights 12 political, economic, military, and social indicators of instability.
Guinea was ranked 9th worst on the list. It had the lowest overall ranking of any country not recently at war, except Zimbabwe. It had the third worst score of any country for the category 'Delegitimization of State.'
Monday, June 18, 2007
Sunday, June 17, 2007
[Sports news] National team stuns Algeria
In a 2008 African Nations Cup (CAN) qualifier in Algiers, Guinea's national team stunned Algeria this weekend by a score of 2-0 on goals from Fodé Mansaré and Pascal Feindouno.
Guinea is virtually unbeatable at home (last competitive home loss was, I believe, in 1994) but very poor on the road, particularly in North Africa.
The result was even more shocking since only a few days earlier, longtime goalkeeper Kémoko Camara quit the national team after being accused of exaggerating an injury.
Syli national coach Robert Nourrazet went so far as to say a few days before the match, "We have no chance against Algeria."
The shock win puts Guinea at the top of their group with 8 points. Algeria also has 8, but Guinea owns the head-to-head. Cape Verde and Gambia are on 5 points. The group winner automatically qualifies for the CAN 2008 tournament in Ghana as well as runners-up from three of the 12 qualifying groups.
Guinea is virtually unbeatable at home (last competitive home loss was, I believe, in 1994) but very poor on the road, particularly in North Africa.
The result was even more shocking since only a few days earlier, longtime goalkeeper Kémoko Camara quit the national team after being accused of exaggerating an injury.
Syli national coach Robert Nourrazet went so far as to say a few days before the match, "We have no chance against Algeria."
The shock win puts Guinea at the top of their group with 8 points. Algeria also has 8, but Guinea owns the head-to-head. Cape Verde and Gambia are on 5 points. The group winner automatically qualifies for the CAN 2008 tournament in Ghana as well as runners-up from three of the 12 qualifying groups.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
[Guinean news] Conté: I am the boss
The Guinean leader Gen. Lansana Conté gave a rare interview on Thursday evening. When journalists from TV5 and the French news agency AFP asked him about his future plans, Conté replied tartly, "There is no open transition."
Conté, who seized power in a military coup in 1984, insisted that he was fully in control of the country. "I am the boss, the others are my subordinates," he said.
He brushed aside questions about his regime's handling of a nationwide general strike earlier this year. "Which country hasn't known any sad events? We're not the only ones to know such events."
The general added, "It happens to everyone, moments of difficulty, of incomprehension between the people and the power."
Over 100 Guineans were killed during the general strike in clashes the authorities and the population.
On Friday, Guinean prime minister Lansana Kouyaté was in Paris to meet with the new French president Nicolas Sarkozy.
Conté, who seized power in a military coup in 1984, insisted that he was fully in control of the country. "I am the boss, the others are my subordinates," he said.
He brushed aside questions about his regime's handling of a nationwide general strike earlier this year. "Which country hasn't known any sad events? We're not the only ones to know such events."
The general added, "It happens to everyone, moments of difficulty, of incomprehension between the people and the power."
Over 100 Guineans were killed during the general strike in clashes the authorities and the population.
On Friday, Guinean prime minister Lansana Kouyaté was in Paris to meet with the new French president Nicolas Sarkozy.
Friday, June 15, 2007
[Advocacy news] Volunteer interpreter in DC wanted
Guinea RPCV Jamaica Corker writes:
Oxfam America and the National Peace Corps Association [NPCA] are looking for a volunteer interpreter who is comfortable disucssing issues around agriculture, in English and in French, for advocacy visits to the Hill on June 28 and/or June 29. The interpreter will accompany Haoua Traore, a female farming advisor who works with the National Union of Cotton Producers in Burkina Faso, as part of advocacy efforts around the 2007 US Farm Bill renewal. A recently returned RPCV or anyone familiar with ag issues in West Africa, and who remembers the basics in French, would be great.
If you are interested and can be of assistance on either of those days, please contact Jonathan Pearson at NPCA by Tuesday, June 19: jonathan@rpcv.org or 202-293-7728, ext. 21.
The U.S. Farm Bill is all-encompassing and as currently structured detrimentally affects many people—not only small American farmers but also cotton producers in countries throughout West Africa, whose farmers cannot effectively compete on the world market flooded with heavily subsidized American and European cotton. More information on the Farm Bill is attached in a flier and you can read more about it by visiting OXFAM’s website: http://www.oxfamamerica.org/whatwedo/campaigns/agriculture.
If you are in the DC area and interested, don't be shy about contacting the NPCA. They are looking for someone with familiarity with the region and general West African agriculture issues, not necessarily someone fluent in Parisian French!
Oxfam America and the National Peace Corps Association [NPCA] are looking for a volunteer interpreter who is comfortable disucssing issues around agriculture, in English and in French, for advocacy visits to the Hill on June 28 and/or June 29. The interpreter will accompany Haoua Traore, a female farming advisor who works with the National Union of Cotton Producers in Burkina Faso, as part of advocacy efforts around the 2007 US Farm Bill renewal. A recently returned RPCV or anyone familiar with ag issues in West Africa, and who remembers the basics in French, would be great.
If you are interested and can be of assistance on either of those days, please contact Jonathan Pearson at NPCA by Tuesday, June 19: jonathan@rpcv.org or 202-293-7728, ext. 21.
The U.S. Farm Bill is all-encompassing and as currently structured detrimentally affects many people—not only small American farmers but also cotton producers in countries throughout West Africa, whose farmers cannot effectively compete on the world market flooded with heavily subsidized American and European cotton. More information on the Farm Bill is attached in a flier and you can read more about it by visiting OXFAM’s website: http://www.oxfamamerica.org/whatwedo/campaigns/agriculture.
If you are in the DC area and interested, don't be shy about contacting the NPCA. They are looking for someone with familiarity with the region and general West African agriculture issues, not necessarily someone fluent in Parisian French!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
[Guinean news] Thousands of girl 'slaves' in Guinea: HRW
The non-governmental organization Human Rights Watch revealed that thousands of girls in Guinea face abuse as domestic workers, often live in conditions comparable to slavery and many are victims of human trafficking.
The research in Guinea showed that thousands of girls spent their childhood and adolescence doing housework, such as cleaning, washing and taking care of small children, often for no pay.
The report said the girls were vulnerable to sexual abuse and many were beaten with whips, electric cords and sticks.
They are often trapped in this cycle of abuse partly because they are deprived of an education, reports the BBC.
Human Rights Watch says most of the employers in Guinea are women from the urban middle class who demand a girl from poorer relatives or from an intermediary in the countryside.
Update: The HRW press release (in English) is available here. The full report (in French) is available here.
The research in Guinea showed that thousands of girls spent their childhood and adolescence doing housework, such as cleaning, washing and taking care of small children, often for no pay.
The report said the girls were vulnerable to sexual abuse and many were beaten with whips, electric cords and sticks.
They are often trapped in this cycle of abuse partly because they are deprived of an education, reports the BBC.
Human Rights Watch says most of the employers in Guinea are women from the urban middle class who demand a girl from poorer relatives or from an intermediary in the countryside.
Update: The HRW press release (in English) is available here. The full report (in French) is available here.
Monday, June 11, 2007
[FOG news] Highlights from the May '07 quarterly board meeting
Friends of Guinea's board held their quarterly meeting on May 20, 2007. Some highlights from the meeting (that have not been superceded by subsequent events) include:
Financial Summary (balance)
$12,819 as of April 30, 2007.
New address
All FOG mail should now be sent to:
Friends of Guinea
626 Mooney St
Independence OR 9735
Projects' report
-In the past projects would be funded through PCPP site. Funding came from a variety of sources. FOG donated to these projects in the past, and the officers would take a vote. Working with PCPP is complicated. Few projects in Guinea and sometimes fully funded before FOGs check made it. Last year we decided there needed to be a credit or debit card, so eliminated check delay.
-we have $3,700 from girls conference that can be refunded to FOG
-Projects director Claire Lea wants to see us expand beyond funding PCPP projects (especially since there is no Peace Corps in Guinea right now) and look into funding NGOs and other on-the-ground projects.
-Possibilities of funding Aprofig which has all girls private school. Need money to fund teachers, and general running of school. Or El Hadj’s Thiam son started a NGO – 40 members from high school graduating class from Guinea. Raise scholarships so kids can go to private lycee in Conakry.
-We discussed the need to create some sort of funding form so non-PCVs can apply for funding, and also the possibility of having an on the ground FOG liaison who can evaluate organizations and causes. Perhaps language trainers or Mackenzie?
-When think about funding we need to make sure money goes where we need it to and that it can be tracked and linked to results
-As an example - Friends of Burkina Faso funds school and pays to send someone to evaluate projects on the ground. We can look to move in this direction (realizing it will take some time!)
-if we step up our giving to projects we will need to look into non-profit registration. This is not immediate, but needs to be kept in mind
-Claire will try to contact Friends of Sierra Leone and Liberia since they have similar situation to Guinea with no PCVs
Thanks to FOG secretary Annie Kneedler for the minutes.
Note: The full meeting notes are available upon request.
Financial Summary (balance)
$12,819 as of April 30, 2007.
New address
All FOG mail should now be sent to:
Friends of Guinea
626 Mooney St
Independence OR 9735
Projects' report
-In the past projects would be funded through PCPP site. Funding came from a variety of sources. FOG donated to these projects in the past, and the officers would take a vote. Working with PCPP is complicated. Few projects in Guinea and sometimes fully funded before FOGs check made it. Last year we decided there needed to be a credit or debit card, so eliminated check delay.
-we have $3,700 from girls conference that can be refunded to FOG
-Projects director Claire Lea wants to see us expand beyond funding PCPP projects (especially since there is no Peace Corps in Guinea right now) and look into funding NGOs and other on-the-ground projects.
-Possibilities of funding Aprofig which has all girls private school. Need money to fund teachers, and general running of school. Or El Hadj’s Thiam son started a NGO – 40 members from high school graduating class from Guinea. Raise scholarships so kids can go to private lycee in Conakry.
-We discussed the need to create some sort of funding form so non-PCVs can apply for funding, and also the possibility of having an on the ground FOG liaison who can evaluate organizations and causes. Perhaps language trainers or Mackenzie?
-When think about funding we need to make sure money goes where we need it to and that it can be tracked and linked to results
-As an example - Friends of Burkina Faso funds school and pays to send someone to evaluate projects on the ground. We can look to move in this direction (realizing it will take some time!)
-if we step up our giving to projects we will need to look into non-profit registration. This is not immediate, but needs to be kept in mind
-Claire will try to contact Friends of Sierra Leone and Liberia since they have similar situation to Guinea with no PCVs
Thanks to FOG secretary Annie Kneedler for the minutes.
Note: The full meeting notes are available upon request.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
[Guinean news] Top businessman named ruling party head
Mamadou Sylla, Guinea's richest business patron, was named as the new honorary president of the ruling PUP party.
Sylla is a close ally of the head of state Gen. Lansana Conté and is often referred to as 'the ruling party's banker.' Last year, he was subject to a serious corruption investigation and was engaged in open warfare with Conté's then-right hand man Fodé Bangoura. Sylla was arrested during the course of the investigation until Conté went in person to jail to free him.
The move to make Sylla honorary PUP president is sure to be controversial as Conté's action liberating him was the spark for the general strike and protests that rocked the country this January and February.
Sylla is a close ally of the head of state Gen. Lansana Conté and is often referred to as 'the ruling party's banker.' Last year, he was subject to a serious corruption investigation and was engaged in open warfare with Conté's then-right hand man Fodé Bangoura. Sylla was arrested during the course of the investigation until Conté went in person to jail to free him.
The move to make Sylla honorary PUP president is sure to be controversial as Conté's action liberating him was the spark for the general strike and protests that rocked the country this January and February.
Friday, May 25, 2007
[Guinean news] US spends $4 million on 'good governance'; Parliamentary hearings on Hyperdynamics;
The US ambassador and Guinean foreign affairs minister recently signed an accord designed to promote democracy and good governance in Guinea. The subsidy was estimated at over US$4.7 million, which brings to over $22 million allocated by the US on "democratic governance," according to Ambassador Jackson McDonald. $200,000 of this money will be dedicated to the new National Independent Electoral Commission, reports Guinéenews.
The money is part of the USAID's "Faisons ensemble" ("Let's do it together") program.
Ambassador McDonald said, "The major challenge of Guinea is to create an environment of transparent management that will not only attract but maintain private investments, but also will also help avoid internal conflicts, such as recent events that occurred throughout the country."
***
The Guinean ministry of mines recommended that it renegotiate its contract with the US oil company Hyperdynamics.
Hyperdynamics is the only foreign oil company prospecting in Guinea, which produces no oil and so far has no proven viable reserves, notes Reuters.
Guinea's new national unity government said that while it wanted to honour deals with foreign investors, they too had a responsibility to help contribute more to development in a country where despite its mineral riches most of the population live in poverty.
"We are not prepared to give away the natural resources of this country. In this regard, I am happy to see that we are in step with the country's national assembly," said Mines Minister Ahmed Kanté, noting that the government wants to change aspects of the deal, not cancel it altogether.
The chairman and CEO of Hyperdynamics Kent Watts told Reuters, "I believe that there are factions in the national government that want to renegotiate the contract and that's not legal."
As reported on this blog previously, Watts recently created a self-described 'registered charitable organization' by the name American Friends of Guinea, which is not in any way affiliated with Friends of Guinea.
The money is part of the USAID's "Faisons ensemble" ("Let's do it together") program.
Ambassador McDonald said, "The major challenge of Guinea is to create an environment of transparent management that will not only attract but maintain private investments, but also will also help avoid internal conflicts, such as recent events that occurred throughout the country."
***
The Guinean ministry of mines recommended that it renegotiate its contract with the US oil company Hyperdynamics.
Hyperdynamics is the only foreign oil company prospecting in Guinea, which produces no oil and so far has no proven viable reserves, notes Reuters.
Guinea's new national unity government said that while it wanted to honour deals with foreign investors, they too had a responsibility to help contribute more to development in a country where despite its mineral riches most of the population live in poverty.
"We are not prepared to give away the natural resources of this country. In this regard, I am happy to see that we are in step with the country's national assembly," said Mines Minister Ahmed Kanté, noting that the government wants to change aspects of the deal, not cancel it altogether.
The chairman and CEO of Hyperdynamics Kent Watts told Reuters, "I believe that there are factions in the national government that want to renegotiate the contract and that's not legal."
As reported on this blog previously, Watts recently created a self-described 'registered charitable organization' by the name American Friends of Guinea, which is not in any way affiliated with Friends of Guinea.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
[Guinean news] Trade unions hold conference; parliamentary inquiry into general strike deaths
Guinean trade unions are hosting a major international trade conference in Conakry yesterday and today.
The conference will address three main issues: economic and social development, governance and institutions, and human rights [and] will conclude its work by adopting a road map highlighting the demands of the trade union movement and Guinea's civil society for the long process of consolidating peace, democracy and development in Guinea, according to a press release from the International Trade Union Confederation.
**
The Guinean National Assembly has approved the creation of a commission of inquiry into the killing of civilians by security forces in June 2006 and during the general strike of January and February of this year. Channel Africa's Africa Rise and Shine radio program reported that the commission will comprise 19 members from diverse professions. Human rights groups welcomed the commission's creation but warned that the creation of previous parliamentary inquiries hadn't resulted in any significant follow up.
The conference will address three main issues: economic and social development, governance and institutions, and human rights [and] will conclude its work by adopting a road map highlighting the demands of the trade union movement and Guinea's civil society for the long process of consolidating peace, democracy and development in Guinea, according to a press release from the International Trade Union Confederation.
**
The Guinean National Assembly has approved the creation of a commission of inquiry into the killing of civilians by security forces in June 2006 and during the general strike of January and February of this year. Channel Africa's Africa Rise and Shine radio program reported that the commission will comprise 19 members from diverse professions. Human rights groups welcomed the commission's creation but warned that the creation of previous parliamentary inquiries hadn't resulted in any significant follow up.
Monday, May 14, 2007
[Guinean news] Soldiers continue looting despite government concessions
The Guinean head of state, Gen. Lansana Conté, conceded one of the key demands of rioting soldiers by replacing the country's defense minister and the army chief on Saturday. However, troops continued to riot after the announcement. Soldiers apparently ransacked many shops and warehouses in Conakry, including offices of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).
Witnesses said men in army uniforms stole vehicles and looted cacao, rice and sugar, as well electrical equipment such as generators.
Witness also said soldiers were responsible for a raid on UNFPA’s stores, stealing stocks of condoms as well as computer equipment. UN facilities were also targeted during a civil uprising earlier this year when World Food Programme warehouses in several towns were looted, according the IRIN news service.
The rioting suggest that the regime's control is slipping even further.
The army’s agenda is unclear and it is currently “very disorganised,” Elisabeth Cote, who represents the Washington-based election support NGO IFES in Guinea told IRIN. “It seems likely the army doesn’t want [President] Conte anymore,” she said .“[If so] it doesn’t take much organising and then one considers it a coup.”
The capital was reported to be calm on Sunday and Monday.
Update: Guinéenews reports that the raiding of the UN Population Fund's warehouses resulted in over $326,000 in losses.
Witnesses said men in army uniforms stole vehicles and looted cacao, rice and sugar, as well electrical equipment such as generators.
Witness also said soldiers were responsible for a raid on UNFPA’s stores, stealing stocks of condoms as well as computer equipment. UN facilities were also targeted during a civil uprising earlier this year when World Food Programme warehouses in several towns were looted, according the IRIN news service.
The rioting suggest that the regime's control is slipping even further.
The army’s agenda is unclear and it is currently “very disorganised,” Elisabeth Cote, who represents the Washington-based election support NGO IFES in Guinea told IRIN. “It seems likely the army doesn’t want [President] Conte anymore,” she said .“[If so] it doesn’t take much organising and then one considers it a coup.”
The capital was reported to be calm on Sunday and Monday.
Update: Guinéenews reports that the raiding of the UN Population Fund's warehouses resulted in over $326,000 in losses.
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