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Guinea; no clear end to a political calamity?

Author: Pa John Baimba Sesay - Freetown

I have been following developments in neighboring Guinea and our big brother country, Nigeria, through the BBC. I have developed an interest in the affairs of these two countries for obvious reasons. I am an African that should help get an African solution to an existing African problem. But developments in Guinea have seriously captured my attention. I am close to Guinea, than I am to Nigeria. When we (Sierra Leoneans) were in trouble, Guinea was our first place to run to.

I recently submitted reasons on why the international community, especially the African Union, the United Nations and ECOWAS should act fast, and I also offered a number of possible recommendations towards resolving that conflict. But at the time I did that the Guinea junta leader was in Morocco, responding to medical attention after he was shot in the head by, as alleged, a close aide of him. But as you read this piece, he is now closer to Guinea, precisely in Burkina Faso. I read recently that the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon has expressed concerns that deteriorating developments in Guinea may have devastating effects on Sierra Leone and Liberia. I cannot disagree more with him on this.

President Ernest Bai Koroma

Your Excellency Sir, Guinea is in turmoil

I have submitted over and again that ugly developments in Guinea may not tell well for us as a nation, and that taking into consideration what we experienced as a country in the early 90s as a result of happenings then in Liberia, it is but necessary for us to come together and proffer solutions to resolve the Guinea political crisis. We should, as a matter of must be disturbed that Guinea is yet to be politically unwavering. There is one feature about power and politics; when once someone occupies a political office, it becomes difficult for that individual to give way to others. This is exactly the case in Guinea. The military ‘boys’ don’t just want to give power back to ‘the people’, forgetting that the people’s power is supreme; it counts, especially in democracy and good governance.

When Guinea is not stable politically, it will have an adverse effect on not only the economic aspect of Sierra Leone, but also socially. Economically, most of our traders would now hardly go to Guinea, in search of commodities to come trade in Sierra Leone, and we know the repercussion of such a situation. Also, from the political front, it will be a threat against our own very political existence as a country; there is the Yenga matter, yet to be resolved between Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Reports on Guinea, through the BBC and other media outlets, especially online newspapers have indicated that there are no signs that the military leader who was moved from Morocco to Burkina Faso will get back to his country of origin, and that the deputy to him, who is currently running the affairs of the country, appears to be the man in full control. No turning back for him!! We may know what that means-a clear division will happen from within the army, and there is the likelihood of a tribal and regional division-those supporting the ‘exile’ leader and those in favor of the acting leader.

I recently called for more mediation efforts between the military boys and the international community .I also called for the need to intensify the sanctions against them and from the look of things, the negotiations are making progress.

There also appears to be some solutions to the crisis, with the opposition being asked to provide a Prime Minister. The opposition parties in Guinea may also help to bring an end to the seeming political deadlock. They are important to the maintenance of democracy and the rule of law, despite the fact that Guinea and Guineans have not known what democracy is all about for years and as a matter of fact, this is not their wish.

Referring to the important role of an opposition party to democracy, Adame Ba Konare stated in the book titled, History, Democracy, Values: New Lines of Reflection’ ‘belonging to the opposition does not turn a man into a lout or a good-for-nothing …it is precisely because of their role as watchdogs, because of the breath of life they inject into democracy-a real factor of progress –that the members of the opposition should be treated respectfully and be protected from material hardship…’ But over the years, the opposition parties in Guinea have been suppressed to the point of even literally ‘killing’ all forms of opposition against the military governments.

You may want to ask of the role of countries like Sierra Leone and Liberia in the ongoing political debacle in Guinea; simple; no need to give the military boys any form of recognition in whatever shape or form. Now, when the Johnny Paul era was here in Sierra Leone, it was ensured, no country recognized them. Also, since Sierra Leone and Liberia are a party to the ECOWAS and MRU protocols, they should ensure, these two international bodies are effectively used to sanction the military boys from even getting a sigh of relief. With such efforts, those countries playing double standards insofar as resolving the political deadlock in Guinea is concerned should be properly engaged and told to hands of, if they can’t help get a final solution to the existing problem.

I am sometimes perturbed at the hypocrisy of the West when it comes to resolving problems in Africa. Because of what they seemingly stand to benefit from, especially military regimes, they would find it very difficult to intervene. And this is why I have always advocated for an African solution to an African problem. The Guinea crisis should come to an end. The country should not be always managed by military regimes. A military officer should go to the garrison, and not occupy the Presidency.

Guineans are resolved this time round to get the country back to democracy. They have sacrificed a lot, and they should continue to give their best in ensuring that the military are kicked out of power. No military regime is better than a civilian government. No way!! The country is almost in shambles, it is better to have a civilian that could be seen as poorly performing but allowing the rule of law, press freedom, et.al features of democracy to exists, than having a superb military regime that has no respect for press freedom, rule of law and other democratic credentials. It is better to have a civilian government than a military regime that would clandestinely and secretly kill opposition party members just because of political power.

Guineans are tired of oppression, they are tired of seeing military boys along the streets of Conakry with the barrel of the gun in their hands, they want a civilian government and they must be allowed to determine the form of government they want. There should be an end to that political catastrophe that is undermining the very political stability of the sub region. Let us think of this.

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One Comment on "Guinea; no clear end to a political calamity?"

Abdurrahman T. L. Nelson on Sat, 16th Jan 2010 5:41 pm

You are correct and I agree wholeheartedly when you say a civilian government is preferred. So, I remind you that Sekou Ture’s PDG government was a civilian government elected by the people in referendum. But, the military called it a “ruthless dictatorship” and overtherew it. And, few if any protested. Had they protested as they are doing now, they could have had a civilian government decades ago. If they did not like PDG, they could have elected someone else.

What worries me now is that a dangerous precedence has been set in which foreigners would dare to “regime change” an African head of state. That is no better than “civilian government” under the colonial regime.