Guinea: Hopes for Reform Dashed Again

Guinea’s political elite has once more been rendered powerless by an army whose leaders owe their survival to a political system built upon confusion and fear.Though many political actors had long hoped for a coup to end Lansana Conté’s regime and the political impasse it generated, it is highly unlikely that the military junta which seized power last week will relinquish control and lead Guinea into a stable democratic era.

Guinea: The Battle for Succession Continues

The death of Guinea’s head of state, Lansana Conté, from diabetes on Monday has brought about a military rebellion against the constitution – a situation that, if not carefully handled, could escalate into a military confrontation.The president’s death, at the age of 74, was announced overnight on Monday by the president of the National Assembly, Aboubacar Samparé, accompanied by the military chief of staff, General Diarra Camara, and the Prime Minister, Ahmed Tidiane Souaré. They called on the president of the Supreme Court to note the vacancy in the presidency and to apply the relevant provisions of the constitution. They also appealed for calm from the population.