CADTM Committee for the Abolition of Third World Debt - Press release, 12
February 2007
On Monday 12 February 2007, the general strike calling for the departure
of Guinean president Lansana Conte was resumed and met with ferocious
repression. Eleven people were killed, bringing the total to over one
hundred since the beginning of the year.
It would seem that the army is no longer totally loyal to the failing
regime and some of the crack regiments are bringing their support to the
popular insurrection. The capital is paralyzed by barricades and the
principal roads are blocked.
For CADTM, the Guinean people has long been deprived of its rightful
wealth (in particularly the very large reserves of bauxite), by
multinational foreign companies and a clan close to the ruling power
which enriches itself by illegal and illegitimate means. Guinean
citizens are entirely within their rights to demand explanations from
those who have been getting rich at the expense of the people.
Guinea was the first French West African colony to achieve independence
in 1958 when Sékou Touré issued his famous ’non’ to General De Gaulle.
Subsequently, popular sovereignty was quickly confiscated to the
advantage of an elite. For CADTM, the general strike is the means by
which the Guinean people can legitimately press for a return to popular
and non-negotiable sovereignty.
The first period of strikes forced Conte to accept the nomination of a
Prime Minister. However the choice of Prime Minister was a profound
disappointment for the people. Eugene Camara is a close accomplice of
Conte and his appointment is a betrayal of popular demand.
For the moment, the regime has decided on the use of force to conserve
the little power it has left. According to ’Human Rights Watch’, Conte,
who is seriously ill, may have recruited ex-Liberian rebels as
mercenaries. He has just decreed a ’state of siege’ that gives him full
powers in total disregard of democratic principles.
CADTM says that Lansana Conte should immediately step down as president.