FOG newsletter editor Mackenzie Pfeifer Dabo reports:
Friends of Guinea members and friends have the opportunity to purchase copies of the new documentary "Iron Ladies of Liberia" at a discount and at the same time raise money for FOG.
From Producer Annie Eastman:
The documentary film, "Iron Ladies of Liberia," as seen on PBS and BBC, is now available on DVD. Use this direct link and get $5 off and help raise $5 for FOG when you purchase a copy:
http://www.neoflix.com/cart/JUS15/JUS1531IRO01&coupon=49494900
(Offer expires 10/15/2008)
Educators, this is a great way to teach about democracy, Africa, and courage!
In November 2005, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became Africa’s first elected female president. A former finance minister known as the “Iron Lady,” Sirleaf quickly appointed a team of strong women around her, including the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Commerce, and the Chief of Police. Iron Ladies of Liberia follows these women over the course of their turbulent first year in office – a year which will determine the future of their country.
Iron Ladies of Liberia is a unique look behind the scenes at the rebirth of a nation and democracy in action, under the steady hand of women determined to make history and move their country forward.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Monday, July 07, 2008
[Commentary] Is the Peace Corps broken?
A controversial essay on the website of Foreign Policy magazine opines: In the eyes of Americans, no government agency better exemplifies the optimism, can-do spirit, and selfless nature of the United States than the Peace Corps. Unfortunately, it’s never lived up to its purpose or principles.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
[Guinean news] Food prices in Guinea amongst the highest in the region
While food price increases are affecting the entire world, Guinea has been particularly hard hit.
The IRIN reports that Food price hikes have hit Guinea's capital Conakry harder than many others in West Africa according to the World Food Programme (WFP), while an export ban is preventing rural populations from benefiting from high global market prices, leading to fears that mounting food insecurity could lead to instability.
It notes that rice prices in Conakry are almost 50 percent higher than in nearby Monrovia, Liberia and significantly higher than in Senegal's capital Dakar.
In some areas, families spend over 60 percent of their income on food, according to the NGO Helen Keller International.
WFP notes that one of the key factors in Guinea is that rice importing is dominated by a few actors. The country also has an inefficient port system, which adds to costs. And the Guinean franc is not part of the West African CFA monetary union (which in turn is linked to the Euro) has plummeted in value dramatically as inflation has soared. It adds that an export ban has denied Guinean farmers the benefit of high global prices.
The IRIN reports that Food price hikes have hit Guinea's capital Conakry harder than many others in West Africa according to the World Food Programme (WFP), while an export ban is preventing rural populations from benefiting from high global market prices, leading to fears that mounting food insecurity could lead to instability.
It notes that rice prices in Conakry are almost 50 percent higher than in nearby Monrovia, Liberia and significantly higher than in Senegal's capital Dakar.
In some areas, families spend over 60 percent of their income on food, according to the NGO Helen Keller International.
WFP notes that one of the key factors in Guinea is that rice importing is dominated by a few actors. The country also has an inefficient port system, which adds to costs. And the Guinean franc is not part of the West African CFA monetary union (which in turn is linked to the Euro) has plummeted in value dramatically as inflation has soared. It adds that an export ban has denied Guinean farmers the benefit of high global prices.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
[Guinean media] Guinean state television now available online
Guinean state television is now available both online and via television at www.media-rtg.com. Online subscriptions to the RTG range at 30 Euros (US$47) for 3 months to 99 Euros for one year.
You can also view the RTG's nightly news program free on demand at the website Telediaspora.net.
You can also view the RTG's nightly news program free on demand at the website Telediaspora.net.
Friday, June 27, 2008
[Guinean news] Legislative elections doubtful for 2008
The IRIN news service reports that legislative elections originally scheduled for October 2007 and postponed several times are unlikely to occur this year as promised by the government.
An International Crisis Group report* released a few days ago stated, “Calming talk of inclusion and pursuit of change from the new head of government should fool no one. Unless robust internal and external pressure is applied, there is every chance the government will break the promise of credible legislative elections in December 2008.”
The ICG added that another electoral postponement would “compromise economic revival and bury the independent commission of inquiry tasked with identifying and prosecuting authors of the 2007 crackdown.”
Donors have criticized the Guinean government for not allocating sufficient funds for the elections.
“The Guinean government has spent more on sending the Guinean football team to the African Cup than on its own elections. Why should donors pay for it if they’re not willing to themselves?” One frustrated donor told IRIN, adding, “It is not up to the international community to push elections – it has to come from within.”
*-The entire ICG report on the situation in Guinea can be accessed here
An International Crisis Group report* released a few days ago stated, “Calming talk of inclusion and pursuit of change from the new head of government should fool no one. Unless robust internal and external pressure is applied, there is every chance the government will break the promise of credible legislative elections in December 2008.”
The ICG added that another electoral postponement would “compromise economic revival and bury the independent commission of inquiry tasked with identifying and prosecuting authors of the 2007 crackdown.”
Donors have criticized the Guinean government for not allocating sufficient funds for the elections.
“The Guinean government has spent more on sending the Guinean football team to the African Cup than on its own elections. Why should donors pay for it if they’re not willing to themselves?” One frustrated donor told IRIN, adding, “It is not up to the international community to push elections – it has to come from within.”
*-The entire ICG report on the situation in Guinea can be accessed here
Sunday, June 22, 2008
[Guinean news] Striking policemen clash with soldiers
Last week saw two days of clashes between police and soldiers in Conakry. The police went on strike to protest salary arrears. Soldiers, who themselves rioted over back pay only a few weeks prior, were called in to suppress the police revolt. Customs officials also reportedly joined the police strike.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
[Guinean news] Mutinous soldiers clash with presidential guard
Tension has continued to rise in Guinea and fears (hopes?) of a military coup are increasing.
Late on Wednesday, mutinous soldiers forced their way on to a runway at the Conakry International Airport and prevented an American military plane from landing.
The BBC reported that On Thursday, the soldiers set up roadblocks at the entrance to the administrative district, which houses the presidency, the army headquarters and some embassies. It added that Soldiers say that some of them have not received any pay since 1996, when an army mutiny nearly toppled the regime of Gen. Lansana Conté.
And perhaps most dramatically, there were armed clashes in Conakry between army soldiers and members of the presidential guard.
Late on Wednesday, mutinous soldiers forced their way on to a runway at the Conakry International Airport and prevented an American military plane from landing.
The BBC reported that On Thursday, the soldiers set up roadblocks at the entrance to the administrative district, which houses the presidency, the army headquarters and some embassies. It added that Soldiers say that some of them have not received any pay since 1996, when an army mutiny nearly toppled the regime of Gen. Lansana Conté.
And perhaps most dramatically, there were armed clashes in Conakry between army soldiers and members of the presidential guard.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
[Guinean news] Government makes concessions to mutineers
The BBC’s Network Africa program and Guinéenews are both reporting that the government has made concessions to the mutineers.
According to Guinéenews, the controversial new prime minister has agreed to:
-the payment of salary arrears to each soldier of 5 million FG (a little over US$1100) in five monthly installments;
-the firing of the defense minister;
-a decrease in the cost of subsidized rice available to the soldiers.
According to Guinéenews, the controversial new prime minister has agreed to:
-the payment of salary arrears to each soldier of 5 million FG (a little over US$1100) in five monthly installments;
-the firing of the defense minister;
-a decrease in the cost of subsidized rice available to the soldiers.
[Guinean news] Defense minister sacked; more army unrest
The Guinean defense minister Gen. Mamadou Bailo Diallo has been sacked, according to Guinéenews. No replacement has apparently been named.
The news caused panic in the capital as shooting was heard at the Samory Touré military camp in central Conakry.
“We don’t know if they are shots of joy or something else,” a Conakry resident explained to Guinéenews. The resident also claims to have seem vehicles filled with armed soldiers headed toward the presidential palace, reportedly to reinforce presidential security.
Mutinous soldiers also ransacked the home of Gen. Bailo in the coastal city of Dubréka, which is also the hometown of the head of state Gen. Lansana Conté.
The news caused panic in the capital as shooting was heard at the Samory Touré military camp in central Conakry.
“We don’t know if they are shots of joy or something else,” a Conakry resident explained to Guinéenews. The resident also claims to have seem vehicles filled with armed soldiers headed toward the presidential palace, reportedly to reinforce presidential security.
Mutinous soldiers also ransacked the home of Gen. Bailo in the coastal city of Dubréka, which is also the hometown of the head of state Gen. Lansana Conté.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
[Guinean news] Sacking of PM condemned
The recent decision by head of state Gen. Lansana Conté to fire the national unity government prime minister Lansana Kouyaté has been widely condemned.
The UN’s IRIN news service called the sacking a ‘threat to stability,’ a prediction which seemed validated by yesterday’s kidnapping of the national army chief.
One of the main opposition parties, the Guinean People’s Rally (RPG), said it would refuse to participate in a government headed by any prime minister unilaterally appointed by Conté.
The RPG declaration was another blow for [the newly named prime minister Ahmed Tidiane] Souaré, who has said he would like to form a politically all-inclusive government to push ahead with reforms, noted Reuters.
Though the RPG had no members in the Kouyaté cabinet.
And perhaps most crucially, the Guinean trade unions have rejected Souaré’s appointment as a violation of last year’s agreement between them and Conté and threatened another general strike.
"We solemnly demand that this decree be revoked and if necessary a prime minister be named, complying with the profile defined in the accords," said Ibrahima Fofana, head of the USTG union.
The UN’s IRIN news service called the sacking a ‘threat to stability,’ a prediction which seemed validated by yesterday’s kidnapping of the national army chief.
One of the main opposition parties, the Guinean People’s Rally (RPG), said it would refuse to participate in a government headed by any prime minister unilaterally appointed by Conté.
The RPG declaration was another blow for [the newly named prime minister Ahmed Tidiane] Souaré, who has said he would like to form a politically all-inclusive government to push ahead with reforms, noted Reuters.
Though the RPG had no members in the Kouyaté cabinet.
And perhaps most crucially, the Guinean trade unions have rejected Souaré’s appointment as a violation of last year’s agreement between them and Conté and threatened another general strike.
"We solemnly demand that this decree be revoked and if necessary a prime minister be named, complying with the profile defined in the accords," said Ibrahima Fofana, head of the USTG union.
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