Guinea Update: Stability Restored?

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.

On Saturday the unions said the president's concessions were sufficient for them to end the strike.

There are still unresolved issues, including who will succeed the ailing Conte as the nation's leader. But with this renewed calm, with the unions still intact, Conte's eventual passing may yet yield a stronger democracy.

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