Trouble again in Conakry

by planetparker

This week has seen some worrying developments in the West African republic of Guinea. The private residence of democratically elected president Alpha Conde was attacked  at night by armed men, probably intent on assassination. In the event only one person was killed. No faction has claimed responsibility but in the days following the assault a number of high-ranking soldiers have been arrested. Many of these were close to former president Konate who handed over power to Conde last year,. Realistically disgruntled soldiers are the only people with access to weaponry in Guinea at the moment.

 What do these plotters want? I don’t think there is any appetite for a coup in Guinea at the moment. The country has been through too much conflict and has se3en too much innocent blood spilled. President Conde has also been in power for a relatively short while. He has not had time to make any glaring mistakes. As a man of 73 he has suffered a lot at the hands of the country’s former dictators, such as Ahmed Sekou Toure and Lansana Conteh. Neither his age nor his experience would prevent him however, from turning into an aged autocrat. If that were to happen, (and I very much hope for the people of Guinea’s sake that it will not) then it might be time for the men in uniforms to intervene.