Controversial former interior minister Alseny René Gomez has recently published a book on his eight years spent in Camp Boiro in Conakry. The jail for political prisoners was one of the most infamous features of Sékou Touré's 1958-84 regime.
In his book entitled 'Camp Boiro: parler ou périr' ('Talk or perish'), Gomez writes, "Rats got better treatment than humans. Those that saw death coming would write on the walls of their cells in blood or feces."
Gomez, then interior minister, was a key figure in the February 1996 army mutiny that turned into an attempt coup against Gen. Lansana Conté's regime.
Friday, November 02, 2007
Thursday, November 01, 2007
[Guinean news] Youths in Labé protest power cuts
The UN's IRIN news service reports on protests against erratic electricity in the central Guinean city of Labé.
Some 1000 youths marched on the town’s state electricity office earlier this month, chased out the staff and barricaded the doors.
The youths then marched to the governor’s office and handed him the keys, appealing to him to find a solution to Labé’s electricity problem.
IRIN noted that the youths did not use violence but added that [s]ince the protest, there has been no electricity anywhere.
The news service reported that public protests have increased since a mass movement paralyzed the country earlier this year.
Then, Guinea saw unprecedented citizen demonstrations, as thousands of people poured into the streets denouncing poor living conditions. The protests, in which security forces cracked down on civilians, paralysed the country for weeks.
Guineans and outside observers alike say the nationwide strikes transformed Guineans, giving them a taste of the power of taking to the streets.
According to the UN Development Program, only 8 percent of people in the country known as the 'water tower of West Africa' have access to electricity... and most who do find power cuts a regular fact of life.
Some 1000 youths marched on the town’s state electricity office earlier this month, chased out the staff and barricaded the doors.
The youths then marched to the governor’s office and handed him the keys, appealing to him to find a solution to Labé’s electricity problem.
IRIN noted that the youths did not use violence but added that [s]ince the protest, there has been no electricity anywhere.
The news service reported that public protests have increased since a mass movement paralyzed the country earlier this year.
Then, Guinea saw unprecedented citizen demonstrations, as thousands of people poured into the streets denouncing poor living conditions. The protests, in which security forces cracked down on civilians, paralysed the country for weeks.
Guineans and outside observers alike say the nationwide strikes transformed Guineans, giving them a taste of the power of taking to the streets.
According to the UN Development Program, only 8 percent of people in the country known as the 'water tower of West Africa' have access to electricity... and most who do find power cuts a regular fact of life.
Friday, October 26, 2007
[Development issues] Is the media soft on aid groups?
Reuters Alertnet has a a compelling article on whether journalists give aid groups a free pass in their coverage. The reader comments at the bottom are also worth reading.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
[Sports news] Guinean national team's revival
FIFA.com has an article on the revival of the Guinean national soccer team since the hiring of Robert Nouzaret as coach. The Syli national have qualified for the 2008 African Nations Cup to be held early next year in Ghana. They will be in the same first round group as Namibia, Morocco as well as the host country.
Monday, October 22, 2007
[Development news] Apparent success with experimental malaria vaccine
Many news outlets reported on the apparent success of an experimental malaria vaccine that was administered to infants.
A clinical trial in Mozambique of 214 infants aged 10 to 18 weeks found the vaccine was safe and reduced new infections by 65 percent over a three-month period after treatment. Clinical illness was cut by 35 percent over six months.
A new vaccine could be commercially available in 2012, according to Reuters.
A clinical trial in Mozambique of 214 infants aged 10 to 18 weeks found the vaccine was safe and reduced new infections by 65 percent over a three-month period after treatment. Clinical illness was cut by 35 percent over six months.
A new vaccine could be commercially available in 2012, according to Reuters.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
[Guinean news] Legislative elections to be postponed?
AngolaPress reports that the Guinean legislative elections may be postponed. Prime Minister Lansana Kouyaté told parliament that the date might need to be pushed back due to the slow pace of organizing the vote.
The elections are estimated to cost some 79 billion Guinean francs, or nearly US$19 million, with the government picking up a little less than a quarter of the tab.
The elections are estimated to cost some 79 billion Guinean francs, or nearly US$19 million, with the government picking up a little less than a quarter of the tab.
Monday, October 15, 2007
[Guinean and development news] New rice seed increases output but faces obstacles
The New York Times had an article about an intriguing project called New Rices for Africa. The piece also touches on the rice seed distribution system in Guinea and other parts of West Africa.
The new seeds increased yields even without fertilizer and more than doubled them with it. From planting to harvest, they also took three months rather than the five or six required by traditional varieties, putting rice on the family table during the hungry season.
But to sustain increased yields, farmers need a reliable source of fresh seed. Productivity declines when the new seeds become degraded after mixing with local varieties in storage sheds and fields and on the floors of the farmers’ huts.
The new seeds increased yields even without fertilizer and more than doubled them with it. From planting to harvest, they also took three months rather than the five or six required by traditional varieties, putting rice on the family table during the hungry season.
But to sustain increased yields, farmers need a reliable source of fresh seed. Productivity declines when the new seeds become degraded after mixing with local varieties in storage sheds and fields and on the floors of the farmers’ huts.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
[Internet news] Guinéenews is 10 years old
Guinéenews recently celebrated its first decade. Guinéenews was founded 10 years ago by Boubacar Caba Bah, a Guinean living in Canada. It is widely regarded as the premier internet site for Guinean news and has many correspondents inside the country.
Friends of Guinea is an official partner of Guinéenews.
Friends of Guinea is an official partner of Guinéenews.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
[Guinean news] Guinean chimps
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
[Guinean news] Cost of living protest in Conakry
Both the BBC World Service's Focus on Africa program and Guinéenews report that protests erupted today against high cost of living.
Around 8:00 this morning, young protesters marched through the streets of the Conakry neighborhood of Ratoma complaining about the ever increasing cost of basic goods. A few cars were reported damaged.
One young housewife protesting noted that a 50 kilo bag of rice now costs 160,000 Guinean francs (FG), or over US$39. The price has increased 60 percent since the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, she said.
"From one day to the next, they increase the price by 10,000 FG," she added.
Around 8:00 this morning, young protesters marched through the streets of the Conakry neighborhood of Ratoma complaining about the ever increasing cost of basic goods. A few cars were reported damaged.
One young housewife protesting noted that a 50 kilo bag of rice now costs 160,000 Guinean francs (FG), or over US$39. The price has increased 60 percent since the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, she said.
"From one day to the next, they increase the price by 10,000 FG," she added.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)