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Guinea |
POLITICS
The civil war which broke out in Guinea, was quickly brought to an end, but Guineans are still apprehensive about another one starting
Suspicion in the border area between Sierra Leone and Guinea still exists. Routine checks are carried out on all Sierra Leoneans who enter Guinea — many of these are cross-border traders. Guinean police officers take the opportunity to increase forced payments on Sierra Leoneans, and I became a victim when I entered Guinea last November aboard a ferry boat. Every passenger was asked to «pay» entry-landing fees of ten thousand Guinean francs (equivalent to five US dollars) before disembarking. On the way out of the port I was stopped by a policeman who searched me and discovered that I carried money. He wanted to know how much I had and we had a bitter argument. In the end I gave in, and showed him my money. He then referred me to another policeman who ordered me to take off my shirt to see if I had any Sierra Leonean Revolutionary United Front (RUF) tattoo marks on my body. (RUF rebel activity had, in the past, spilled across the border into Guinea, creating the current atmosphere of distrust). The first policeman then demanded money and I gave him some. Other officers then searched my bag and demanded «payment». «Why?» I asked in French, and this seemed to irritate them. «For searching your bag», they replied! I then had to pass through another security check and again had to «pay» my way through. This is a common ordeal for all Sierra Leoneans who enter Guinea at this particular border crossing.
Border towns devastated
Within Guinea’s cities, life looks normal, but many towns near the border with Sierra Leone have been destroyed. Robert Tedouno is the national secretary of the Catholic Organisation for Human Development, an organisation through which Caritas-Guinée carries out development and humanitarian assistance. He says: «Towns near the border with Liberia such as Gueckedou have been devastated. The humanitarian situation is bad but we have been able to help the inhabitants resume farming activities, by helping them with seeds and small amounts of money».
The war in Guinea was short-lived, but it consumed a huge chunk of the national revenue. (Guinea’s relations with Liberia and Sierra Leone have been tense since these countries’ internal troubles spilled over into Guinea in the form of refugees and border skirmishes). «The government is now grappling with the problem of resettling displaced people and reconstructing destroyed towns and villages». Tedouno says that investors who had been scared away by the war, are now returning. «Soon our economy will be as robust as it was before», he says. «The country is rich in gold».
Despite the end of the war, Sierra Leoneans who had been previously been mistrusted because of the rebel Sierra Leonean Revolutionary United Front’s (RUF) participation in the Guinean insurgence, continue to be maltreated and the mistrust continues. Guineans believe that every Sierra Leonean is a rebel and Guineans believe that the presence of Sierra Leoneans in their country is over-taxing the few available facilities. Sierra Leoneans pay for their rented apartments in dollars — which infuriates Guineans because it deprives them of renting decent housing at affordable prices.
«Third time round»
The situation within Guinea is none too secure. The Opposition headed by Professor Alpha Conde is giving President Lansana Conte a headache. The country itself is presently polarised on ethnic grounds. The Madingos, who are one of the largest tribes, have lent their support to Alpha Conde (who is a Mandingo). The Fula, another large tribe, support Mamadou Bah, a retired World Bank employee. The Susu and other minority tribes support President Conte (who is a Susu).
Also, the President has joined the queue of «third-time-rounders» i.e. those African leaders who have attempted to bid for a third term in office. The Guinean opposition say that seeking a third term will make Lansana Conte a president for life. «He will be no different from Ahmed Sekou Toure who rules Guinea like a farm», says Moussa Cisse, a political activist. Some Guineans fear that if the President succeeds, instability will result because of the violent protests which are sure to follow such a rigged «election». Others are of the opinion that Lansana Conte is capable of suppressing any insurrection (as he has already done in the recent civil war).
Sierra Leoneans resident in Guinea are apprehensive of the forthcoming elections. Many of them are preparing to return home. Repatriation is taking place but Sierra Leoneans say it is far too slow.
Editor’s note: For further information on the background to Guinea’s civil war, cf. ANB-BIA numbers 405,406,407.
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