[Guinean news] Bissau cocaine traffickers moving into Conakry

Guinea-Bissau is widely described as Africa's first narco-state. But this article in Mmegi Online is the latest to express the concern that narcotraffickers are increasingly moving south into Conakry and may begin to destabilize Guinea as well.

[Guinean news] EU to send observer mission to legislative elections

The European Union will deploy a 24-person observer mission to monitor Guinea's oft-delayed legislative elections schedule (for the moment) for this September 24.

[Guinean news] One shot dead in anti-government rally after new election date set

At least one person was shot and two wounded at an anti-government rally in Guinea. President Alpha Conde set June 30 as the date for legislative elections without agreeing to opposition demands that he strip a South African company, Waymark, of its contract to manage the voter list and allow the mostly pro-opposition diaspora to vote. 

A government spokesman promised an international inquiry into the incident.

[FOG news] New website!

Friends of Guinea has a spiffy new website. Check it out! www.friendsofguinea.org

[Guinean news] New date for legislative elections set

Guinea's Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that long-delayed legislative elections have been scheduled for May 13, 2013. Though an opposition spokesman expressed disapproval. Guinea has been without a functioning National Assembly as a result of the delays.

[Guinean news] Rioting kills three in Guéckédou

Reuters is reporting that three people have died in rioting in the southern Guinean town of Guéckédou. Clashes broke out between government supporters and opposition activists over alleged abuse of power by the military préfet. There has been tension in the area since October when the agriculture minister, who hails from the area, was removed from office amid corruption allegations.

[African news] 'Alarming' rate of domestic violence in West Africa

The International  Rescue Committee recently issued a report highlighting what it calls an 'alarming' rate of domestic violence in West Africa (Voice of America news article here; more info from IRC here). The IRC stated that primary threat to women in many West African nations was not war but domestic abuse. The NGO noted that 2/3 of the women who sought help from them had been battered by their husband or partner.

[Guinean news] L’Enfant noir on stage for the first time

Guinéenews reports that a Conakry theatre company is producing a play based on the memoir L’Enfant noir. Often translated into English as “Dark Child,” L’Enfant noir was written by the Guinean author Camara Laye and is generally considered one of the seminal works in African literature. The play is being produced by the company Labortor’arts in conjunction with the Franco-Guinean cultural center.

[FOG news] FOG welcomes new officers!

Friends of Guinea is excited to welcome a new slate of officers to its board of directors.



SECRETARY: Pat Barron

MEMBERSHIP: Teresa Pope

GUINEA PARENT SUPPORT: Betty Walker

COMMUNICATIONS AND WEB ADMIN: Amy Hylinski Daffé

FINANCES: JanRose Ottaway Martin

PROJECTS: Anne Sites


Mackenzie Dabo (newsletter) and Urska Manners (listserv) are remaining in their positions.

Outgoing communications director Brian Farenell will still maintain this blog as well as the FOG Twitter feed.



A big thank you to the outgoing officers for all your service to FOG!

Stephanie Chasteen (secretary)

Brian Clappier (membership)

Karen Starr (web)

Shad Engkilterra (finances)

Donald Parker (projects)

[Guinean news] Legislative elections delayed

President Alpha Conde has announced that legislative elections originally scheduled for July 8 will be postponed indefinitely. The delay, demanded by the opposition, is designed to improve the voter registration process.