Archive for the ‘New Leadership’ Category

Parallel governments in Guinea: Will this lead to real change?

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

A new transitional government has been formed in Guinea. The Prime Minister Jean Mary Dore and his cabinet members will lead the country through this difficult phase. Soon after the announcement of Mr. Dore’s government (list of ministers available here), President Sekouba Konate published the list of his own cabinet, endowed with important roles and involved in every decision making process.

It seems that the country has two distinct governments. However, the real executive power remains in the hands of Sekouba Konate and his cabinet members. The entire government is composed of members form all social and ethnic groups, but it is surprising and a tremendous disappointment to the cabinet appointments of hard core remnants of the CNDD – notably Commandant Claude Pivi and Lieutenant Colonel Thieboro Camara – widely thought to share responsibility with other junta leaders for the September 28 massacre and mass rapes.

In Dore’s government, one of the greatest disappointments is the Minister of Justice – which did not change from the previous CNDD military government. Colonel Siba Lohalamou, a close ally of Dadis, keeps his seat and in doing so squelches all hope for any serious action now against the perpetrators of the 9/28 crimes against humanity through the Guinean judicial system. Finally, the presence of General Toto Camara as Security and “Civil Protection” Minister also raises serious doubts about just how well civilians – and their rights – will be protected during the transition.

Until free democratic elections are organized and a President issued from popular votes is put into office, democracy will remain just a dream for Guineans all over the world. Apparently, justice and will have to wait until then as well. This transitional government is formed only to please everyone regardless of the qualifications and backgrounds of its members – and, probably, to try to keep some of the worst elements in check. The real test will be if they can do what it takes to organize the elections and set the stage for democratic change and the end of impunity in the long term.

Sekou Konde for Alliance Guinea

Posted in Dore, Justice, Konate, New Leadership, Prime Minister, Transition | 1 Comment »

Falsehood has perished and Truth has triumphed

Monday, January 18th, 2010
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NE-72ZXux-g/Shp6-Y0I2tI/AAAAAAAAJa4/6hvoo8XZScs/s320/Dadis.jpg

Dadis, December 2008 (from africa-terror.blogspot.com)

Moussa Dadis Camara declared on Sunday January 17, 2010 in Burkina Faso that he accepted to sign the declaration made on January 15, 2010 without any outside influences. He exhorted supporters to regain their houses calmly and bring the support necessary in a peaceful transition in Guinea under the auspice of Sekouba Konate.

This represents a major breakthrough in the crisis that continues to plague the innocent population of Guinea. The leader of the CNDD has finally faced the fact that only truth prevails and falsehood shines momentary before its doom. Dadis demeanor and speech sharply show that he can no longer lead and only time can tell if he will fully recover from his injuries.

Hopefully, those who are still reluctant to face this reality must know that the whole CNDD saga was just another tragic event with consequences of staggering proportion. Those who are responsible for the September 28th massacre shall account for their acts. It’s only the beginning of end for them.

Sekou Konde for Alliance Guinea

Posted in Dadis, New Leadership, News | No Comments »

Between Dadis and Konate, who will be in charge now?

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

The situation in Guinea continues to raise doubts and concerns. Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, who was hospitalized in Morocco, has arrived in Burkina Faso. The reasons for this trip are for the moment not understood. Even if some are quick to associate it with the speech given on January 6 by General Sékouba Konaté. Will this speech, which brings hope and is highly praised by all constituents of the nation, be put into practice with eventual cooperation between Captain Dadis and General Konaté?

Today around 5:30pm a delegation led by General Konaté, Colonel Korka and the minister of foreign affairs Alexandre Cécé Loua went to Ouagadougou to meet Captain Dadis. This meeting will undoubtedly set once again Guinea’s fate.

On the other side the Forces Vives met at the house of Jean Marie Doré – for whom the post of Prime Minister is very likely – and decided to work quicker to take the hand extended by General Sékouba Konaté. This hand risks interception by Captain Dadis Camara, which will return Guinea to its original cage, which would be truly a shame. In any case we will see more clearly whether Captain Camara or General Konaté actually leads Guinea.

Regardless, Dadis’ approach is not fortuitous for the same reasons as the hand held out by Sékouba Konaté. Undoubtedly the two men are good friends but don’t share the same vision and maybe no longer even fight for the same cause. Dadis’ short absence illustrated this difference in all its glory. The differences between the two men are enormous, even if in Guinea diverse groups are brought together by demagoguery and bad luck. The Guinean people hope that the good faith of the General, if it actually is good, will dominate over the unspoken intentions of Captain Dadis, who became drunk on power. Life is full of choices, thus Konaté must justify his choice and above all to meet it, and the Forces Vives must continue to apply pressure.

Nasser Diallo

Posted in Dadis, Konate, New Leadership, News | No Comments »

Yet another prime minister – who will replace Kabinet Komara?

Friday, January 8th, 2010
http://www.lesafriques.com/images/stories/j80/21_Kabinet-Komara.jpg

The story always repeats itself twice.

The first time as tragedy, and the second as comedy.

The country of prime ministers continues to be faithful to its values and the population and the opposition learn no lessons. Each time pressure rises in Guinea we switch the Prime Minister to calm spirits and move forward. After the “Consensus” Prime Minister and the “Opening” Prime Minister there was the Junta Prime Minister Kabinet Komara. All raised hopes but what did they really do for Guinea? What marks did they leave for their people?

Today, we speak to you of a Prime Minister from the opposition and everywhere people are dancing and singing in Conakry. Open your eyes, the junta is not stupid—it is a creative way to give the position to the Guinean opposition, which will show that their unity is motivated by gaining power rather than freedom for their people. Without a doubt, each one, to the detriment of the greater interest of the nation will want to place themselves for one party, or place their guy for the other.

We all know from history there is no position in Guinea more unstable and fictionally based than that of the Prime Minister – the “First Minister,” because, for the junta, this position has one simple meaning, the first of all ministers. And this is no secret to the opposition since several of them are well acquainted with the privileges that come with the PM position. The most recent example is the remarkable anger displayed by Dadis Camara against Kabinet Komara for receiving a delegation for the mines without his permission. This is how far the power of a prime minister in Guinea stretches.

The administration is subject to speculations in Guinea and the Guinean peoples’ problem is too delicate for any prime minister as long as the self-proclaimed junta is in power. There are many high stakes facing the success of the transition in Guinea now, and with the approaching nomination of a prime minister from the opposition, we will know how urgent this was among the priorities.

Nasser Diallo

Posted in Komara, Negotiations, New Leadership, Prime Minister | No Comments »