“Guinea West Africa has carried the torch of freedom since its independence from the French in 1958. The country has been an example to the rest of the region throughout its history, as it was the first nation of French West Africa to gain its independence. That said, I am deeply concerned about the rising tensions within the country and its potential to ignite regional instability within the West African region.”
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke of New York made this official statement read into the Congressional Record last week on the occasion of the march on Washington, rising to address the Speaker of the House of Representatives “to acknowledge the Movement of Guinean Women in the United States, the Commission for Guinean Forces Vives in the United States and Alliance Guinea” for organizing the demonstration in front of the State Department to protest the atrocities that continue to take place in Guinea.
Congresswoman Clarke’s declares that she “strongly believes that all citizens of Guinea should be afforded the right to have their voices heard without the threat of violence” and that “those responsible [for the appalling rapes] must be brought to justice.” She calls for the international community to provide emergency care and humanitarian assistance for the people of Guinea following the traumas caused by September 28 and declares her strong backing of the State Department’s position in “admonishing those who committed [the] injustices” and supports the call for the CNDD not to stand in elections.
Congresswoman Clarke has emerged as an early ally in the US Congress for the cause of justice and freedom in Guinea, and we are grateful for her support. To become involved with reaching out to representatives from your home state, tell us of your interest here or email allianceguinea@gmail.com.
On this Monday, October 26 there will be a march in Washington DC to raise awareness about the atrocities committed on September 28 in Guinea and to garner continued support for justice, an end to military rule and a transition to a democratically elected civil government in the country.
On Saturday, October 10 the Guinean community gathered in the public square of the Place de la République – Parvis for Human Rights, and march was held with the support of human rights associations, French citizens and local elected representatives. Nearly one thousand people participated, and we reiterated the demands of the forces vives (Guinean civil society/opposition coalition). During the demonstration both men and women from Guinea spoke to remind that there is only one people of Guinea who is suffering from its terrible leaders that could be Soussou, Peul, Malinke, Kissi, etc. and that everything must be done so that the debate is not ethnicized.