Monday, December 22, 2008
[Guinean news] Lansana Conté dead at 74
The BBC and Guinéenews are reporting that the Guinean head of state Gen. Lansana Conté has died at the age of 74. He had been long ill with diabetes. The announcement was made by Aboubacar Somparé, president of the National Assembly. As such, Somparé would become acting president under the constitution until elections could be organized within 60 days. The government has declared 45 days of national mourning.
Monday, December 01, 2008
[Guinean news] World AIDS Day
In the run up to International AIDS day, the UN's IRIN news service had several articles related to AIDS in Guinea and West Africa.
IRIN reports that Guinea's mining sector is stepping up its anti-AIDS efforts. With an HIV infection rate of 5.2 per cent, the lucrative mining sector in Guinea is particularly at risk from the epidemic. Some mining companies have begun setting up their own programmes to make up for the lack of HIV/AIDS services on offer. But they say a public-private partnership is essential if local residents are not to be excluded. This is important as HIV services now tend to be concentrated in the capital Conakry, some distance away from the main mining regions.
Another piece points out that antiretroviral treatments are now free in Guinean hospitals. This is an important step in Guinea, such treatments cost patients $100 a month or sufferers were forced to travel to Dakar, Senegal. However, the article warns that bureaucratic difficulties may hamper the campaign's efficiency.
IRIN also had a fascinating piece on how national legislation designed to slow the spread of AIDS in West Africa is a double-edged sword.
In places like Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali and Niger, a woman can be criminally charged with not taking the steps necessary to prevent HIV transmission to her unborn baby, such as taking antiretroviral (ARV) drugs during pregnancy. Sierra Leone recently changed a legal provision that explicitly referred to a mother passing on the virus to her baby as a crime.
In Togo, people who do not use male or female condoms in "all risky sexual relations" are considered to be breaking the law; HIV-positive people are prohibited from having unprotected sex, regardless of whether they have disclosed their status to their partner.
Guinean law requires mandatory HIV testing before marriage, while Togolese law provides for periodic mandatory testing of sex workers for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases.
IRIN reports that Guinea's mining sector is stepping up its anti-AIDS efforts. With an HIV infection rate of 5.2 per cent, the lucrative mining sector in Guinea is particularly at risk from the epidemic. Some mining companies have begun setting up their own programmes to make up for the lack of HIV/AIDS services on offer. But they say a public-private partnership is essential if local residents are not to be excluded. This is important as HIV services now tend to be concentrated in the capital Conakry, some distance away from the main mining regions.
Another piece points out that antiretroviral treatments are now free in Guinean hospitals. This is an important step in Guinea, such treatments cost patients $100 a month or sufferers were forced to travel to Dakar, Senegal. However, the article warns that bureaucratic difficulties may hamper the campaign's efficiency.
IRIN also had a fascinating piece on how national legislation designed to slow the spread of AIDS in West Africa is a double-edged sword.
In places like Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali and Niger, a woman can be criminally charged with not taking the steps necessary to prevent HIV transmission to her unborn baby, such as taking antiretroviral (ARV) drugs during pregnancy. Sierra Leone recently changed a legal provision that explicitly referred to a mother passing on the virus to her baby as a crime.
In Togo, people who do not use male or female condoms in "all risky sexual relations" are considered to be breaking the law; HIV-positive people are prohibited from having unprotected sex, regardless of whether they have disclosed their status to their partner.
Guinean law requires mandatory HIV testing before marriage, while Togolese law provides for periodic mandatory testing of sex workers for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
[Guinean news] Social tension rises in Conakry, mining towns
Several days last week, youths took to the street in Conakry to protest high gas prices. The protesters burnt tires and threw stones. Soldiers shot at demonstrators, killing at least one person, according to The New York Times; human rights' groups fear the toll may be much higher. The government severely restricted freedom of movement in the capital.
The IRIN news service ran a story on how Guineans living in mining towns are increasingly taking to the streets to protest the unavailability of basic services to ordinary people.
Last week, people in Boké protested lack of access to water and electricity, both of which are readily available to the city's CBG bauxite mining company. Several other mining communities have faced similar protests.
Boké residents poured into the streets and blocked the railway by which [CBG] transports materials for export. The people of Boké the week before had threatened to block operations if they did not receive access to water and electricity. "The military forces who came from Conakry did not hesitate at all when they confronted the demonstrators," the dead man’s aunt, Ansoumane Diawara, told IRIN. "They were shooting everywhere. My nephew was struck down by a stray bullet."
The IRIN news service ran a story on how Guineans living in mining towns are increasingly taking to the streets to protest the unavailability of basic services to ordinary people.
Last week, people in Boké protested lack of access to water and electricity, both of which are readily available to the city's CBG bauxite mining company. Several other mining communities have faced similar protests.
Boké residents poured into the streets and blocked the railway by which [CBG] transports materials for export. The people of Boké the week before had threatened to block operations if they did not receive access to water and electricity. "The military forces who came from Conakry did not hesitate at all when they confronted the demonstrators," the dead man’s aunt, Ansoumane Diawara, told IRIN. "They were shooting everywhere. My nephew was struck down by a stray bullet."
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
[Guinean news] Community radio station shut down
Radio Netherlands Worldwide's' Media Network blog reports that Conakry's Familia FM, has been shut down by the state media regulator. The National Communications Council (CNC) shut down the private community radio station for allegedly broadcasting information that could 'disturb the public peace.'
A reporter of the station said they did not receive written notice from the CNC, but they heard of the suspension on the national radio.
The station is now reportedly off the air.
RNW added: Familia FM is a popular private community radio station that specializes in social issues but has no rights to do any broadcasts other than news bulletins. [The Media Foundation for West Africa] says it is worried about the tendency of the CNC to order suspensions of the media in Guinea.
Guinea was the last country in West Africa to allow private broadcasters, after resisting such calls for over a decade.
A reporter of the station said they did not receive written notice from the CNC, but they heard of the suspension on the national radio.
The station is now reportedly off the air.
RNW added: Familia FM is a popular private community radio station that specializes in social issues but has no rights to do any broadcasts other than news bulletins. [The Media Foundation for West Africa] says it is worried about the tendency of the CNC to order suspensions of the media in Guinea.
Guinea was the last country in West Africa to allow private broadcasters, after resisting such calls for over a decade.
Monday, November 10, 2008
[Blog news] Do you have any news tips?
Have you run across any news stories about Guinea not mentioned here or anything else that you feel should be featured in this blog? If so, feel free to leave them in the comments section of the blog or to email a link or the pertinent information to me at communications@friendsofguinea.org
Also let me know if you want your name credited.
Brian Farenell
FOG Communications Director
Also let me know if you want your name credited.
Brian Farenell
FOG Communications Director
Sunday, November 09, 2008
[Guinean news] Boké drugs raid nets local officials
A cocaine bust in the eastern town of Boké has seen the arrest of the mayor and top police officials as well as the region's governor.
An aircraft allegedly carrying a large quantity of cocaine mysteriously landed and took off early on Thursday [Sept. 5] in Boke.
The officials were taking to Conakry for questioning.
Drugs' trafficking is an increasing problem in parts of Guinea, as neighboring Guinea-Bissau is widely acknowledged to have become Africa's first narco-state.
An aircraft allegedly carrying a large quantity of cocaine mysteriously landed and took off early on Thursday [Sept. 5] in Boke.
The officials were taking to Conakry for questioning.
Drugs' trafficking is an increasing problem in parts of Guinea, as neighboring Guinea-Bissau is widely acknowledged to have become Africa's first narco-state.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
[NGO news] Anti-slavery awards
FOG received the following communiqué from the non-governmental organization Free the Slaves. It seems particularly poignant in the wake of the landmark decision by an ECOWAS (West African) regional court ruling that the government of Niger had failed to protect a young woman who'd been sold into slavery at age 12.
Free the Slaves writes:
Free the Slaves works to end slavery, once and for all, throughout the world. In 2009, we shall be giving our second annual Freedom Awards to individuals and community-based groups that are engaged in this struggle.
Winners of the Awards are nominated by those who know their work, or by themselves. General information is available in French, Spanish and English, although the application forms themselves need to be submitted in English.
Would you please circulate the link below to all Friends of Guinea members? They are invited to notify and nominate appropriate candidates and, if need be, to assist them in filling out the forms. The link may also be forwarded to any contacts in Benin for them to identify other candidates.
In 2008, some candidates were nominated by more than one source. Duplication does not enhance or diminish the chances of winning an award.
www.freetheslaves.net offers both information on the 2008 winners, and access to the 2009 nomination forms. A French explanation is provided (with some regrettable -- that we hope are disarming -- typos). The deadline for nominations is December 1.
I will be glad to answer any questions by email or phone. Thank you for helping to identify possible recipients from Guinea for these prestigious
awards .
Helen Armstrong (RPCV, Kenya Education 1)
Associate
Free the Slaves
514 10th St. 7th floor
Washington DC 20004
armstrong@freetheslaves.net
home 860 742 2796
Free the Slaves writes:
Free the Slaves works to end slavery, once and for all, throughout the world. In 2009, we shall be giving our second annual Freedom Awards to individuals and community-based groups that are engaged in this struggle.
Winners of the Awards are nominated by those who know their work, or by themselves. General information is available in French, Spanish and English, although the application forms themselves need to be submitted in English.
Would you please circulate the link below to all Friends of Guinea members? They are invited to notify and nominate appropriate candidates and, if need be, to assist them in filling out the forms. The link may also be forwarded to any contacts in Benin for them to identify other candidates.
In 2008, some candidates were nominated by more than one source. Duplication does not enhance or diminish the chances of winning an award.
www.freetheslaves.net offers both information on the 2008 winners, and access to the 2009 nomination forms. A French explanation is provided (with some regrettable -- that we hope are disarming -- typos). The deadline for nominations is December 1.
I will be glad to answer any questions by email or phone. Thank you for helping to identify possible recipients from Guinea for these prestigious
awards .
Helen Armstrong (RPCV, Kenya Education 1)
Associate
Free the Slaves
514 10th St. 7th floor
Washington DC 20004
armstrong@freetheslaves.net
home 860 742 2796
Thursday, October 02, 2008
[Guinean news] Happy birthday Guinea
There are celebrations today in Conakry to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Guinean independence. Attendees included the Ivorian and Bissao-Guinean heads of state.
On October 2, 1958, Guinea declared independence from France, only four days after having voted overwhelmingly for it in a referendum. Guinea became the first colony in sub-Saharan Africa to breakaway from the France. Within two years, the French empire in Africa had evaporated.
Radio France Internationale has look back (in French) of Guinea's first half century as well as interviews with Guineans of various backgrounds.
On October 2, 1958, Guinea declared independence from France, only four days after having voted overwhelmingly for it in a referendum. Guinea became the first colony in sub-Saharan Africa to breakaway from the France. Within two years, the French empire in Africa had evaporated.
Radio France Internationale has look back (in French) of Guinea's first half century as well as interviews with Guineans of various backgrounds.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
[Guinean news] Health care strike ends, for now
The IRIN news service reports that Guinean health care workers have called off their strike... at least for the moment.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
[Guinean news] Health care workers on strike; protests against power cuts
Yesterday, health care workers in Conakry went on strike for a second day, virtually paralyzing medical services in the capital. They are holding out for the payment of salary arrears, a pay increase and promotions. An audio report on Radio France Internationale interviewed doctors who also complained about poor working conditions and lack of medicine and supplies that makes it difficult to practice their profession.
Additionally on Monday, residents of Conakry's suburbs took to the streets to protest against frequent power cuts. Youths took to the streets and torched tires to protest against the state electricity company EDG, which has so far failed to replace a transformer that blew two months ago.
Additionally on Monday, residents of Conakry's suburbs took to the streets to protest against frequent power cuts. Youths took to the streets and torched tires to protest against the state electricity company EDG, which has so far failed to replace a transformer that blew two months ago.
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