Guinea

Bush continues to ignore Africa, allowing instability to increase, a situation that encourages bloodshed and terrorism. Some time ago I wrote about an evolving situation in Guinea, a nation that had been viewed as an island of stability in an area plagued by unrest in nations like Liberia, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast. It had seemed like stability had returned as the corrupt, strongman President of the country, Lansana Conte, came to an agreement with unions who were leading an uprising.

Now it seems that Conte has betrayed his word and his actions have sparked renewed unrest. From Salon.com:

Citizens were banned from leaving their homes Tuesday morning as a strict curfew took effect in this West African country after the president instituted martial law following days of deadly protests.

The central streets of the capital appeared to be empty early Tuesday, but residents speaking by phone from the suburbs of Conakry said sporadic gunfire continued to sound in some neighborhoods.

"They are still firing heavy arms. I didn't sleep all night because of the shooting," said Aissatou Diallo. "I see from my balcony people walking in the streets who are going to buy and sell things in the market. I even see some taxis."

My recent articles on the civil unrest in the African nation of Guinea (here and here) may yet be able to end happily.

Guinea has been seen as an island of stability in an area where bloody civil wars have been rampant, particularly in Liberia and Sierra Leone. The previously stable Ivory Coast had joined Liberia and Sierra Leone in being rent by civil war. Last week it looked like Guinea might follow suit. The worst of this would have been the way such civil wars quickly destabilize neighboring nations, and since Guinea's neighbors include nations that only recently have come to an uneasy peace, collapse of stability in Guinea could reignite problems in the whole region.

It seems though, at least for now, Guinea's stability has been restored. From BBC News:

Guinean unions have called off a general strike that has crippled the nation and led to deadly clashes, after a deal was reached with the government.

Nearly 60 people have died in protests since the strike was called on 10 January to demand government reforms.

President Lansana Conte agreed on Friday to cede some powers to a prime minister who would head the government.

Earlier I posted a diary discussing the deteriorating situation in the West African nation of Guinea complete with some background and with a discussion of why it is worrisome to those of us not living there.

The situation has evolved since then. Strongman President Conte, after 2 weeks of a general strike and escalating violence, has agreed to one of the key demands made by the strikers, offering to appoint a new Prime Minister. But the strikers aren't satisfied and the situation remains tense. From BBC news:

The general strike in Guinea is continuing despite President Lansana Conte's offer to name a new prime minister - a key union demand...

The trades unions said they wanted first to see concrete action from President Conte before ending the strike.

"The people of Guinea do not want any more promises. They want something concrete," said Abdoulaye Sow, one of the leaders of the Syndicated Union of Workers of Guinea (USTG).

"It is an agreement in principle. Now it is necessary to put it into practice," he said...

The strikers accuse Mr Conte, who is his 70s and suffers from diabetes, of mismanaging the economy and personally securing the release from prison of two men accused of corruption.