by Alexis Gnonlonfoun, Cotonou, 20 August 1997
THEME = POLITICS
Readers will recall that an army rebellion erupted in Conakry on 2- 3 February 1996, leaving hundreds wounded and over twenty dead. In March of that year, a senior army officer was assassinated and tanks returned to the streets. In April, the army chief of staff was dismissed. This year, echoes of the Sierra Leone coup d'etat can be heard within Guinea. At the same time, a leaflet, threatening in content, is going the rounds in Conakry and throughout the country. All this means that the fires of the 1996 military rebellion, especially the events of 2-3 February, have not been completely extinguished.
Rumour has it that there is a strained atmosphere among army personnel. These rumours are circulating rapidly. Everyone is accusing everyone else. Old accusations are resurfacing - accusations dealing with massive corruption scandals and trafficking in arms. A number of military personnel are making war- like noises. Others, of a more moderate tendency (and we can't be sure of their numbers or influence), are calling for a better understanding through negotiation. The "moderates" are obviously aware that confrontation will only lead to national suicide, as the government will not hesitate to crush all opposition. The question is: will the army attempt another rebellion?
What caused the February 1996 army rebellion? Already in January 1996, a parliamentary committee had recommended a thorough reform of the army. But too late! The military wanted better pay, and this led to the violence which in two days resulted in at least fifty people killed in Conakry alone. President Lansana Conté had no choice but to come to terms with the military if he was to hold on to power.
At the present moment, the government is keeping a tight lip over what is brewing. There's been no "official" communique. It's clear that the government has no intention of solving daily problems by force of arms. Government sources say: "The peace process is progressing and there's no going back". The same sources, however, do not hide the fact that the present situation is "serious, but not yet critical".
President Conté has a technique of his own of turning what should be an ordinary conversation, into what amounts to an endurance test. He questions his visitors, finds out what they think, but at the same time, keeps his own ideas to himself and doesn't "let on" to others. His immediate entourage feels that he is in touch with the present feeling of unrest among the military and is giving it his due attention.
Apart from some of the military who seem to want to spread panic, the opposition coalition says it is ready to take up the cudgels. The coalition says: "This is not the moment to "cool things", especially when one knows that in June, four opposition members were sentenced to two years in jail for assault and battery".
The annoying thing is that President Conté listens to all this with a little smile on his lips. Certainly, he doesn't want any violence. Of that, there is no doubt. But the opposition coalition wonders how long it can go on with the present state of affairs without reacting to what's happening. The whole Opposition is shattered to hear that after twelve years in power, General Conté is seeking re-election in the 1998 presidential elections.
The date for the presidential election hasn't yet been fixed. The governing Party for Unity and Progress (PUP)'s candidate, President Conté, thus becomes the very first to announce his candidature for the election.
As essential element in politics is to know how to compromise and be prepared to listen to another point of view. Only by doing so can confidence return to the country and a return to the bloody events of 1996 be avoided.
END