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	<title>Alliance Guinea &#187; Uncategorized</title>
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	<description>In support of justice and democracy in Guinea</description>
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		<title>ELECTION FEVER IN THE NAME OF DEMOCRACY IN GUINEA</title>
		<link>http://www.allianceguinea.org/2010/06/election-fever-in-the-name-of-democracy-in-guinea/</link>
		<comments>http://www.allianceguinea.org/2010/06/election-fever-in-the-name-of-democracy-in-guinea/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:18:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cody</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.allianceguinea.org/?p=512</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Written by Mariama C. Keita Journalist &#38; NYU Graduate student specializing in International Relations CONAKRY – The countdown begins in just less than one week Guinea will hold their first democratic election after gaining independence from the French in 1958. The top three presidential favorites are:  Alpha Conde, Cellou Dalein and Sydia Tore. The excitement [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><em>Written by Mariama C. Keita</em></p>
<p><em>Journalist &amp; NYU Graduate student specializing in International Relations</em></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>CONAKRY – The countdown begins in just less than one week Guinea will hold their first democratic election after gaining independence from the French in 1958. The top three presidential favorites are:  Alpha Conde, Cellou Dalein and Sydia Tore. The excitement and campaigning in the streets is non-stop, as cars attempt to dodge endless amount of traffic in heavy populated areas around the city center.  On any given day near landmark locations Mouna Café and Madina Market, you can watch a sea of motorcycles campaign through the streets of Conakry.  In addition, the radio stations are playing an active role in the political process.   Issaitou, one of the popular radio personalities on Cherie FM, hosted a call in hour in English requesting listeners to give advice to the Guinean people on the day of elections. It is with excitement to see this country take on a spirit of reconciliation for the Guinean Massacre on September 28<sup> th</sup>, 2009 appears to be a distant memory.</p>
<p>The presidential candidate selection process was rigorous for the specific guidelines helped narrow down the initial pool of over 100 candidates to 24. The requirements are the following:  Guinean nationality and must be over 32 years old, in good health and provide a deposit of 400 million Guinean francs (62,000 dollars). The money is deposited and receipt is given by the National Electoral Commission.  The final 24 candidates have to win 5% of the electorate or more to be reimbursed; otherwise their money will be forfeited.  This process leaves a lot of room for skepticism.  Maimouna Keita, a first year student studying telecommunications at Gamal Abdel Nasser University believes, “democracy in Guinea is not possible. Our next president will be who is most popular and has the most money, as oppose to who is best suited for the position.”</p>
<p>In a country that has been plagued with decades of corruption, autocratic rule and poor governance it seems unrealistic for a country to embrace the culture of democracy and “free choice by the people” in one election. In addition, we cannot ignore the ethnic segregation among Guinea’s two dozen ethnic groups. The three dominant groups are: Fulani, Malinke (also known as Mandinka, Mandingo, Manding or Maninka) and Soussou (also called Susu). The Fulani (sometimes called Peul), are the largest single group (40% of the population). Cellou Dalein’s political campaign director believes, “70% of the electoral vote will be ethnic and it will take several successful democratic elections for this mindset to change.” The consensus among many Fulani believe it is there turn to have a newly elected leader come from their ethnic group. The former President Lansana Conte was Susu and Sekou Toure was Malinke.</p>
<p>Despite the infancy stages of Guinea’s transition to a newly elected civilian leader; the international community on the ground and abroad is playing an integral role in maintaining transparency in the electoral process. Ultimately, a successful democratic election is the pre-condition for a new vision for Guinea.</p>
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		<title>Guinée : La présidentielle de tous les enjeux et défis!</title>
		<link>http://www.allianceguinea.org/2010/06/guinee-la-presidentielle-de-tous-les-enjeux-et-defis/</link>
		<comments>http://www.allianceguinea.org/2010/06/guinee-la-presidentielle-de-tous-les-enjeux-et-defis/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jun 2010 20:56:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alliance Guinea</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[#guineaelections #guineeelections 2010 Guinea]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.allianceguinea.org/2010/06/guinee-la-presidentielle-de-tous-les-enjeux-et-defis/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Le 27 juin 2010, plus de quatre millions de guinéens se rendront aux urnes pour choisir, parmi 24 candidats, celui qui aura la charge de diriger le pays pour cinq ans. Qualifiée d’historique, la présidentielle du 27 juin s’annonce avec des enjeux énormes et des défis à relever nombreux. Le premier enjeu de cette élection [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Le 27 juin 2010, plus de quatre millions de guinéens se rendront aux urnes pour choisir, parmi 24 candidats, celui qui aura la charge de diriger le pays pour cinq ans. Qualifiée d’historique, la présidentielle du 27 juin s’annonce avec des enjeux énormes et des défis à relever nombreux.</p>
<p>Le premier enjeu de cette élection est lié à son organisation dans la transparence. Là-dessus, tous les regards sont tournés vers la Commission Electorale Nationale Indépendante (Ceni). Celle-ci collabore avec le Ministère chargé de l&#8217;Intérieur à l&#8217;organisation des consultations électorales et référendaires. A ce titre, la CENI prend part à la conception, l&#8217;organisation, la prise de décision et l&#8217;exécution, depuis l&#8217;inscription sur les listes électorales jusqu&#8217;à la proclamation des résultats provisoires.<br />
A moins d’une semaine de la tenue  du scrutin, la CENI s’active à jouer son rôle et à assumer pleinement ses responsabilités. L’organisation de l’élection  est maintenue pour le 27 juin. Depuis le 10 juin, les documents électoraux ont été acheminés vers les circonscriptions électorales suivant un programme basé sur quatre axes principaux. La distribution des cartes d’électeurs a démarré sur toute l’étendue du territoire. Seulement voilà.</p>
<p>Il y a là un premier défi  véritable à relever. Dans biens des quartiers de Conakry et certaines préfectures de l’intérieur du pays, la distribution des cartes d’électeurs a été émaillée d’irrégularités. Certains sont allés jusqu’à parler de vol de cartes d’électeurs. Parce que tout simplement, malgré la présentation de leurs récépissés, ils n’ont pas encore reçu les documents leur permettant d’accomplir leur devoir civique. Même que certains chefs de quartiers et élus locaux à l’intérieur de la Guinée refusent de délivrer les cartes d’électeurs à des citoyens qui ne partageraient pas leurs convictions politiques. Ce qui n’est pas de nature à apaiser la situation.</p>
<p>Vu l’engouement avec lequel les populations sont décidées à aller au vote, c’est un paramètre à prendre très au sérieux. La CENI devrait donc mieux communiquer sur les modalités de vote. En procédant notamment à la vulgarisation de la décision conjointe N°203 du MATAP et de la CENI. Celle-ci stipule, en son article 1, que dans le cadre de l&#8217;élection présidentielle du 27 juin 2010 et des autres consultations électorales, le vote se fait avec la carte d&#8217;électeur biométrique ou exceptionnellement et dans les conditions déterminées par la présente décision, le récépissé d&#8217;enregistrement avec photo. Toutes choses qui pourraient éviter des troubles le jour du vote.</p>
<p>Le deuxième enjeu de la présidentielle du 27 juin s’articule autour de l’acceptation des résultats, non seulement par les candidats mais aussi par leurs militants et sympathisants. S’il est évident chez la plupart des observateurs que l’élection sera serrée, il n’en n’est pas de même chez certains leaders politiques. Plus d’un candidat pense qu’il sera vainqueur dès le premier tour.<br />
Aujourd’hui, la Guinée compte 129 partis politiques. Paraît que c’est le pays qui en détient le plus sur le continent. Une autre exception guinéenne ?</p>
<p>Mais osons l’écrire : la  plupart de ces partis sont  à base ethnique ou régionaliste. Si l’on n’y prend garde, c’est à ce niveau que les problèmes pourraient surgir au lendemain du vote. Les différents candidats ont beau crié sur tous les toits, qu’ils sont contre l’ethnocentrisme et le régionalisme, leurs militants n’en n’ont cure. Les débats dans les cafés, taxis, marchés, familles et même au sein de  l’élite en font foi. Et puis, il suffit de fréquenter les états-majors de ces partis ou d’assister à leurs réunions hebdomadaires, pour se rendre compte de la réalité du communautarisme. Le vote du 27 juin échappera-t-il à cette vérité ? En tout cas, c’est à ce seul prix qu’un candidat pourrait l’emporter dès le premier tour. Attendons donc de voir !<br />
Le troisième enjeu est le rôle des autorités de la transition. Jusque-là, nous n’avons assisté à aucune immixtion d’un quelconque ministre dans la campagne électorale. C’est un bon signe de neutralité. Mais force est de reconnaître que le gouvernement n’a pas été très « chaud » pour ce scrutin. Le Premier Ministre, chef du gouvernement, qui avait été chargé par le Président de la transition à préparer le terrain à l’organisation d’élections libres et transparentes, s’est montré très sceptique à la tenue du scrutin au 27 juin. Il mettait en cause les moyens insuffisants accordés à la CENI. Il n’était pas favorable à l’adoption de la nouvelle Constitution par ordonnance.</p>
<p>M.Jean-Marie Doré, aurait souhaité l’organisation d’un référendum. Ce qui contraste avec la volonté du Général Sékouba Konaté à aller vite aux élections et à rendre le pouvoir à un civil. Malgré les intentions des uns et des autres, le Président Konaté a maintenu le cap : la présidentielle se tiendra le 27 juin 2010. Il a réaffirmé, haut et fort, qu’il n’a ni candidat à faire élire ni à soutenir.</p>
<p>Après  50 ans de régime tyrannique  et militaire, la Guinée n’a pas le droit de rater cette occasion. La présidentielle du 27 juin demeure un scrutin très ouvert. Pour la première fois dans l’histoire du pays, il n’y a ni Président au pouvoir, ni parti au pouvoir encore moins de ministre comme candidat. Le destin des 24 candidats est entre les mains des électeurs. Puisse le vote se déroulé en toute transparence et quiétude.</p>
<p>BAH Boubacar « AZOCA »<br />
Administrateur du site http://www.guineedirect.com<br />
Azoka2004@yahoo.fr<br />
Tel : +224 60 34 17 66 / 64 20 30 49 / 62 89 44 32</p>
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		<title>High-tech citizen election monitoring system to launch in support of historic elections in Guinea</title>
		<link>http://www.allianceguinea.org/2010/06/high-tech-citizen-election-monitoring-system-to-launch-in-support-of-historic-elections-in-guinea/</link>
		<comments>http://www.allianceguinea.org/2010/06/high-tech-citizen-election-monitoring-system-to-launch-in-support-of-historic-elections-in-guinea/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:20:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alliance Guinea</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.allianceguinea.org/?p=502</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Guinea Vote 2010 Witness system using Ushahidi technology to go live Tuesday, June 15 New York, NY, June 13, 2010 – With less than two weeks to go before the first open, multi-party presidential elections in Guinea since independence, preparations for the June 27 vote are proceeding with unprecedented collaboration between state, civil society and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="center"><img src="file:///C:/Users/Djeinaba/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-8.png" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Djeinaba/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-9.png" alt="" /><a href="http://www.allianceguinea.org/ushahidi/"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-506" title="GV10temoin" src="http://www.allianceguinea.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/GV10temoin-300x163.jpg" alt="GV10temoin" width="300" height="163" /></a><strong>Guinea Vote 2010 Witness system using Ushahidi technology to go live Tuesday, June 15</strong></p>
<p>New York, NY, June 13, 2010 – With less than two weeks to go before the first open, multi-party presidential elections in Guinea since independence, preparations for the June 27 vote are proceeding with unprecedented collaboration between state, civil society and international actors. Starting Tuesday, June 15, Guinea will have yet another tool to help these historic elections be as free and fair as possible. Civil and government groups will join cell phone companies and even Miss Guinea to launch Guinea Vote 2010 Witness<em> (or GV10 Témoin</em> in French).</p>
<blockquote><p>“This system will surely contribute to making these elections more credible. Furthermore, it will turn every citizen into an active observer of the process,” says Thierno Seydou Bayo, Head of Communications for Guinea’s National Independent Election Commission (CENI).</p></blockquote>
<blockquote><p>“The use of GV10 Witness will allow people in Guinea and around the world to report on and follow election developments in real time, going a long way to helping this landmark vote be as transparent, peaceful and free as possible,” said Alliance Guinea co-founder Jennifer Swift-Morgan. “After decades of hoping for truly democratic rule in Guinea, the desire for a fair election runs deep. And this is evident in the range of groups working around the world to launch this cutting-edge election monitoring system.”</p></blockquote>
<p>Alliance Guinea, a non-profit non-partisan coalition of Guineans and friends of Guinea, is working in partnership with the African Elections Project, the CENI and several other partners in Guinea with support from the US Embassy in Conakry and the country’s major telecommunications operators to deploy GV10 Witness using Ushahidi SMS- and internet-based technology. Ushahidi, which means “testimony” in Swahili, is an open source crowdsourcing platform first developed in Kenya during post-election violence in 2008. It has since been deployed in several countries around the world.</p>
<p>The GV10 Witness partners will announce the initiative at a press conference on Monday, June 14, 2010 at 11:00 in Guinea’s capital of Conakry at the CENI Communications Centre in the Coléah-Lanséboungni neighborhood.  Miss Guinea will act as a spokesperson and promoter for the initiative.</p>
<p>The GV10 Witness system will serve as a tool to track election-related incidents such as violence, threats of violence, and election fraud. It will also elicit commentary and information related to campaign events, voter education, etc. Citizens and observers can use their cell phones or computers to send messages via SMS, email, and Twitter into the GV10 Witness platform. The messages will then be posted to the website www.GV10Temoin.org on a map of Guinea, organized by incident location and type of incident or report.  People monitoring the elections – whether election administrators and observers, international media, civil society organizations or the general public – will then be able to follow developments on the site or through email updates.</p>
<p>Alliance Guinea will filter, code, and map reports online using a corps of volunteers who have signed up from around the world to support the initiative.  Additional volunteers are encouraged to sign on through the organization’s website at www.AllianceGuinea.org.</p>
<p>Information reported to the GV10 Witness system will be used to spur investigative reporting, inform and catalyze dialogue around the elections both in country and across the world, and increase and inform international media coverage of this historic and critical transition.  In addition, the system will serve as an important tool for election administrators and election security workers in Guinea to share information and respond quickly to any reports of malfeasance and violence.</p>
<p>To send a report to GV10 Witness, email <a href="mailto:guinea@africaelections.org">guinea@africaelections.org</a>; tweet using the hashtags #guinee, #guineavotereport, or #guineaelections; or file a report using the form at <a href="http://bit.ly/GV10Help">http://bit.ly/GV10Help</a>. Starting Tuesday June 15, people in Guinea will also be able to text in messages to 8008.</p>
<p align="center">###</p>
<p align="center">For more information, contact Alliance Guinea at allianceguinea@gmail.com or<br />
www.allianceguinea.org. To volunteer, please fill out the form at <a href="http://bit.ly/GV10Help">http://bit.ly/GV10Help</a></p>
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		<title>Be an election monitor from home! Introducing Guinea Vote 2010 Witness &#8211; the Guinea Ushahidi election monitoring project</title>
		<link>http://www.allianceguinea.org/2010/06/be-an-election-monitor-from-home-introducing-guinea-vote-2010-witness-the-guinea-ushahidi-election-monitoring-project/</link>
		<comments>http://www.allianceguinea.org/2010/06/be-an-election-monitor-from-home-introducing-guinea-vote-2010-witness-the-guinea-ushahidi-election-monitoring-project/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:23:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alliance Guinea</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.allianceguinea.org/?p=497</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Want to be a part of history? Be a Guinea election monitor from home!! Alliance Guinea and AfricanElections.org, in partnership with the National Independent Election Commission and others in Guinea are about to launch &#8220;Guinea Vote 2010 Witness&#8221; &#8211; an SMS- and internet- based election monitoring effort using Ushahidi technology.  Through GV10 Witness, election monitors, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Want to be a part of history? Be a Guinea election monitor from home!! <a href="www.allianceguinea.org" target="_blank">Alliance Guinea</a> and <a href="http://www.africanelections.org/guinea/" target="_blank">AfricanElections.org</a>, in partnership with the <a href="http://www.ceniguinee.org/" target="_blank">National Independent Election Commission</a> and others in Guinea are about to launch &#8220;Guinea Vote 2010 Witness&#8221; &#8211; an SMS- and internet- based election monitoring effort using <a href="http://ushahidi.com/about" target="_blank">Ushahidi </a>technology.  Through GV10 Witness, election monitors, journalists, and ordinary citizens on the ground in Guinea will be able to use their cell phones to share information about election challenges and successes with the entire world.</p>
<p>What we need now are volunteers to help process this information &#8211; and that means YOU! All you need is access to a computer, a few hours in the next two weeks and a passion for democracy.  <a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDRNWmR1NTBzVXdObVRzUm51Rk5lc3c6MA" target="_blank">Sign up now</a> and we&#8217;ll get you oriented and ready to help from the comfort of your home.</p>
<p>The first democratic presidential elections in Guinean history are less than *3 WEEKS* away &#8211; and we need all hands on deck to help them be as free and fair as possible. <a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDRNWmR1NTBzVXdObVRzUm51Rk5lc3c6MA" target="_blank">Be a part of history</a>.</p>
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		<title>State Department discussion: Continued guarded optimism but real need for very close monitoring</title>
		<link>http://www.allianceguinea.org/2010/06/state-department-discussion-continued-guarded-optimism-but-real-need-for-very-close-monitoring/</link>
		<comments>http://www.allianceguinea.org/2010/06/state-department-discussion-continued-guarded-optimism-but-real-need-for-very-close-monitoring/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 06 Jun 2010 16:58:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alliance Guinea</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.allianceguinea.org/?p=494</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On May 20, Alliance Guinea participated in the roundtable called by the US State Department, represented by Steering Committee Members Alhoussaine Bah and Doussou Conde Sanoh. After welcoming every participant, US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Johnnie Carson gave a summary of the situation in Guinea. He started by the case of chief of [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>On May 20, Alliance Guinea participated in the roundtable called by the US State Department, represented by Steering Committee Members Alhoussaine Bah and Doussou Conde Sanoh.</p>
<p>After welcoming every participant, US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Johnnie Carson gave a summary of the situation in Guinea. He started by the case of chief of the CNDD Moussa Daddis Camara who is still in Ouagadougou, and then commented on the optimism of Guineans to have free and fair presidential elections on June 27, 2010.</p>
<p>There were many important participants in the roundtable such as the representative of the UNDP, Ms Priya Gajraj; US State Department Desk officer for Niger and Guinea, Jane Dennison; Abigal Wilson and Almami Cyllah of the UN NGO IFES, and Laurent Bertin of Action Guinea. Most gave their point of view of the situation in Conakry. It is interesting to note that Alliance Guinea and Action Guinea representatives were the only Guineans present at the meeting, and our interventions appeared to have been greatly appreciated by the other attendees and the State Department.</p>
<p>In particular, the Alliance Guinea representatives expressed our concern about the Guinean elections on June 27.  While recent positive developments on ground give us reason to be optimistic, we expressed that there is a serious risk of violence if there is not transparency.  We shared the following points of view from our members:</p>
<p>The CENI and the government must do their best to have free and fair elections. To help these efforts:</p>
<ol>
<li>Every party should emphasize their own non-violence during and after the election.</li>
<li>Every party should prepare their supporters to accept the result.</li>
<li>The government should assure the security of the population and the election during the campaign and after – and should continue to pursue the participation of ECOWAS observers in this effort, as mandated by the Ouagadougou Accords.</li>
<li>Election support funds flowing through the NGO IFES should support private media coverage of the elections in addition to public media.</li>
<li>The international community should support and congratulate the winner as soon they announce the results.</li>
<li>Immediately after inauguration of the new president, the international committee must emphasize the need to address concerns of justice and the prosecution of suspected perpetrators of the September 28 massacre, related crimes and previous human rights abuses that have consistently been met with complete impunity.</li>
</ol>
<p>Alhoussaine Bah, Alliance Guinea</p>
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		<title>Standing room only for &#8220;Democracy Under Fire&#8221; at Columbia University</title>
		<link>http://www.allianceguinea.org/2010/05/standing-room-only-for-democracy-under-fire-at-columbia-university/</link>
		<comments>http://www.allianceguinea.org/2010/05/standing-room-only-for-democracy-under-fire-at-columbia-university/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 18 May 2010 03:13:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alliance Guinea</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.allianceguinea.org/?p=453</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Stabile Student Center at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism in New York, New york was filled to capacity Wednesday night with Guineans, journalists, students, and others interested in Guinea and in freedom of the press for the event “Democracy Under Fire: Freedom of Media in Guinea”. The panel discussion was hosted by Alliance [...]]]></description>
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<p>The Stabile Student Center at <a href="www.journalism.columbia.edu" target="_blank">Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism</a> in New York, New york was filled to capacity Wednesday night with Guineans, journalists, students, and others interested in Guinea and in freedom of the press for the event “Democracy Under Fire: Freedom of Media in Guinea”. The panel discussion was hosted by Alliance Guinea, the <a href="http://www.cpj.org/" target="_blank">Committee to Protect Journalists</a> and the Columbia “J School” in partnership with the Guinean Forces Vives in the USA and Columbia University’s <a href="http://www.tc.columbia.edu/students/aswg/" target="_blank">African Studies Working Group</a>.  Everyone was so interested in what the panelists had to say they stayed until almost an hour after the event was supposed to end!</p>
<p>The event was moderated by Milton Allimadi, Publisher and CEO of <a href="http://www.blackstarnews.com/" target="_blank">Black Star News</a>, and the featured speaker was Nassirou Diallo, a Guinean journalist who witnessed the massacre on September 28<sup>th</sup> and is now in exile in the United States. Mr. Diallo recounted what happened to him and other journalists in Guinea, how he had been targeted by the military on several occasions for his reporting, and how he had to flee Guinea the night of the massacre for fear of retribution for his eyewitness accounts. His heroism and integrity was greatly felt by the audience.  Mr. Diallo also talked about the linkages between journalism and activism &#8211; especially in a political context as difficult as that in Guinea &#8211; and how he is now using new media such as <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com" target="_blank">BlogTalkRadio</a> to continue his work through his new program &#8220;<a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/le4emepouvoir" target="_blank">Le 4ème Pouvoir</a>&#8221; even while physically far from Guinea.</p>
<p>Earlier in the day, Mr. Diallo appeared on the Brian Lehrer Show, a critically acclaimed talk show on New York&#8217;s premier public radio station, WNYC, to talk about democracy and the challenges for media in Guinea.  To hear Mr. Diallo together with Jennifer Swift-Morgan of Alliance Guinea on that show, listen here: <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="515" height="29" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="flashvars" value="file=http://beta.wnyc.org/audio/xspf/60738/&amp;repeat=list&amp;autostart=false&amp;popurl=http://beta.wnyc.org/audio/xspf/60738/%3Fdownload%3Dhttp%3A//audio.wnyc.org/bl/bl051210cpod.mp3" /><param name="src" value="http://beta.wnyc.org/media/audioplayer/red_progress_player_no_pop.swf" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="515" height="29" src="http://beta.wnyc.org/media/audioplayer/red_progress_player_no_pop.swf" quality="high" wmode="transparent" flashvars="file=http://beta.wnyc.org/audio/xspf/60738/&amp;repeat=list&amp;autostart=false&amp;popurl=http://beta.wnyc.org/audio/xspf/60738/%3Fdownload%3Dhttp%3A//audio.wnyc.org/bl/bl051210cpod.mp3"></embed></object><script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
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<p>At Columbia, Mr. Diallo was joined by two panelists: Josh Friedman, former head of international programs at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and a board member for the Committee to Protect Journalists and Alice Backer, former <a href="http://globalvoicesonline.org/" target="_blank">Global Voices Online </a>editor responsible for African blogs, new media and a communications consultant. Mr. Friedman spoke about his many different experiences as a journalist in conflict zones and the various ways journalists must confront these dangers, and he spoke of a journalists “natural talent” which he felt Nassirou possessed in abundance.</p>
<div id="attachment_467" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 310px"><img class="size-medium wp-image-467 " title="P1060685" src="http://www.allianceguinea.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/P1060685-300x225.jpg" alt="the crowd at Columbia University's School of Journalism" width="300" height="225" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Pulitzer-prize winning journalist and Committee to Protect Journalists board member Josh Friedman addresses the crowd at Columbia University&#39;s  School of Journalism</p></div>
<p>Ms. Backer talked of the exciting new ways people can participate in sharing news and in “amplifying global voices”. She described the general feeling among many that the stories reported in the mainstream press in the Western world do not accurately reflect the complexities and positive aspects of many developing countries. Ms Backer, who is Haitian, used Haiti as an example of the “countless untold stories” when she said that Haiti is known as the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere but no one knows that it is the second oldest republic (after the United States) in the Western Hemisphere and has a long history of promoting democratic movements. The participation of civil society and regular civilians, whether in blogs or other forms of new media, is crucial to a more representational form of news, especially for women who often are not represented.</p>
<p>The event ended with questions from the audience. One journalist from Guinea asked how to fight corruption in journalism and another journalist from India made a comment that new media can also be used by the oppressors, such as the military in his region. Corruption seemed a central point and was also cited by Mme Doussou Conde Sanoh, member of the Alliance Guinea steering committee and a Guinean women’s rights activist, who discussed how corruption is used to silence strong women in the political sphere in Guinea.</p>
<p>Agathe Sector</p>
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		<title>Guinea in President Obama&#8217;s State of the Union speech</title>
		<link>http://www.allianceguinea.org/2010/01/guinea-in-president-obamas-state-of-the-union-speech/</link>
		<comments>http://www.allianceguinea.org/2010/01/guinea-in-president-obamas-state-of-the-union-speech/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Jan 2010 06:38:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alliance Guinea</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.allianceguinea.org/?p=376</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Speaking in his first State of the Union address, President Obama tonight used Guinea as an example of how America’s fate and belief in liberty is inextricably linked to that of people around the world. America takes these actions [of international engagement] because our destiny is connected to those beyond our shores.  But we also [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="file:///C:/Users/Djeinaba/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-4.png" alt="" /></p>
<div class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 383px"><img src="http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/hero/624x351/_MG_0474-hero.jpg" alt="http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/hero/624x351/_MG_0474-hero.jpg" width="373" height="209" /><p class="wp-caption-text">President Obama, State of the Union (from White House)</p></div>
<p><img src="file:///C:/Users/Djeinaba/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-6.png" alt="" />Speaking in his first <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-state-union-address" target="_blank">State of the Union address</a>, President Obama tonight used Guinea as an example of how America’s fate and belief in liberty is inextricably linked to that of people around the world.</p>
<blockquote><p>America takes these actions [of international engagement] because our destiny is connected to those beyond our shores.  But we also do it because it is right,” the president said. “That&#8217;s why, as we meet here tonight, over 10,000 Americans are working with many nations to help the people of Haiti recover and rebuild.  That&#8217;s why we stand with the girl who yearns to go to school in Afghanistan; why we support the human rights of the women marching through the streets of Iran; [and]</p></blockquote>
<blockquote><p>why we advocate for the young man denied a job by corruption in Guinea. For America must always stand on the side of freedom and human dignity.  Always.”</p></blockquote>
<p>Haiti, Afghanistan, Iran, and Guinea – America must take a stand because it is right thing to do.</p>
<p>It is a powerful message, and the prominence that President Obama has given to the struggle for freedom and human dignity in Guinea in particular is an extraordinary recognition of the importance of our cause – and of the fact that this struggle is in fact <em>everyone’s</em> cause.</p>
<p>We thank the president for his commitment to American engagement in these crucial issues of our time and encourage him not to relent in undertaking and supporting concrete actions for real, positive impact.  Alliance Guinea supports ongoing US engagement in Guinea and rest assured that we will be continuing to advocate for that young man – as well as for the millions of his brothers and sisters who have been born and raised in dictatorship and poverty and are ready to build a new future of democracy and prosperity.</p>
<p>What did this part of President Obama’s speech meant to you?  Leave a comment and tell us what you think, and what we should include in a letter to the president that we are preparing in response to the speech.</p>
<p>And if you are in the US, NOW is the time to head to your Congressional representatives’ offices and tell them what the President meant by that line. To find people around you and set up a meeting, please contact the Alliance Congressional Action Team  at <a href="mailto:brian_d_b@yahoo.com">brian_d_b@yahoo.com</a>.</p>
<p>Jennifer Swift-Morgan for Alliance Guinea</p>
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		<title>It&#8217;s the end of the year &#8211; what is really going on out there?</title>
		<link>http://www.allianceguinea.org/2009/12/francais-c%e2%80%99est-la-fin-de-l%e2%80%99annee-un-etat-des-lieux-s%e2%80%99impose/</link>
		<comments>http://www.allianceguinea.org/2009/12/francais-c%e2%80%99est-la-fin-de-l%e2%80%99annee-un-etat-des-lieux-s%e2%80%99impose/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:23:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>mamadou</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.allianceguinea.org/?p=351</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[La situation politique évolue en Guinée. La junte militaire au pouvoir est prise dans ses propres contradictions. Les massacres du 28 septembre 2009 ont révélé le vrai visage des militaires qui ont pris le contrôle du pouvoir en Guinée le 23 Décembre 2008. Le peuple de Guinée et la communauté internationale sont désormais convaincus de [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>La situation politique évolue en Guinée. La junte militaire au pouvoir est prise dans ses propres contradictions.</p>
<p>Les massacres du 28 septembre 2009 ont révélé le vrai visage des militaires qui ont pris le contrôle du pouvoir en Guinée le 23 Décembre 2008. Le peuple de Guinée et la communauté internationale sont désormais convaincus de la nature criminelle de cette junte. Tous les auteurs des crimes contre l&#8217;humanité devront être arrêtés et traduits devant la Cour Pénale Internationale. C&#8217;est désormais une question de temps car la machine judiciaire est en marche. Le rapport de la commission d&#8217;enquête internationale est clair : Moussa Dadis Camara et plusieurs membres du CNDD sont rendus coupables des massacres et des viols au Stade du 28 Septembre.</p>
<p>Isolé et dénoncé par la Communauté Internationale, Dadis a voulu porter toute la responsabilité du massacre et des viols sur Toumba Diakhité et ses troupes. Les règlements de compte ont ainsi commencé au sein de l&#8217;armée. La réaction de Toumba n&#8217;a pas tardé car se sentant livré à la justice internationale, ce dernier a aussitôt réagi en tirant une balle à la nuque de Dadis pour l&#8217;éliminer. Toumba est toujours en fuite et fait l&#8217;objet d&#8217;une recherche sur tout le territoire.</p>
<p>Dadis Camara, quant à lui, est toujours au Maroc sous la surveillance des services  de sécurité de ce pays. Les Américains et les Français mettent actuellement la pression sur le royaume chérifien pour garder Dadis en lieu sûr en attendant la décision de la CPI de l&#8217;arrêter et de le traduire devant la justice internationale.</p>
<p>En Guinée, comme la politique a horreur du vide, le Général Konaté assure l&#8217;intérim du pouvoir en attendant d&#8217;avoir le total contrôle de l&#8217;armée guinéenne en pleine déconfiture. Jusqu&#8217;ici, Konaté n&#8217;a fait aucun discours affirmant la pleine prise du pouvoir. Il laisse seulement entendre sa volonté de restaurer la discipline et le respect de la hiérarchie au sein de l&#8217;armée. Il s&#8217;engagerait aussi à organiser « dès que possible » des élections libres et transparentes pour laisser le pouvoir aux civils. Mais tous les officiers restés fidèles à Dadis n&#8217;entendent pas céder le pouvoir et perdre les privilèges attachés à la confiscation du pouvoir par la junte. Les militaires ayant participé aux massacres et viols du 28 Septembre 2009 savent que leurs crimes ne resteront pas impunis. Ils sont sous la menace d&#8217;une dénonciation certaine dans les semaines et mois à venir. Ils mettront donc tout en œuvre pour empêcher le départ de la junte du pouvoir.</p>
<p>Le Général Konaté est donc sous la menace d&#8217;un putch préparé et conduit par le capitaine Pivi, ses troupes et autres acolytes. Il vient de prendre la décision de libérer des officiers emprisonnés aux îles de Loos par Moussa Dadis Camara au lendemain de la prise du pouvoir par la junte. Cette libération et la demande de fermeture d&#8217;un camps de miliciens près de Forécariah augurent d&#8217;une volonté de neutraliser les troupes de Pivi acquises à la cause de Dadis. Le futur scénario des règlements de compte au sein de l&#8217;armée se traduira par l&#8217;affrontement possible entre les troupes de Pivi et les militaires qui se placeront sous l&#8217;autorité du Général Konaté.</p>
<p>La tâche de Konaté sera rude car le contrôle de l&#8217;armée guinéenne ne sera pas facile et ne se fera pas du jour au lendemain. Il aura besoin de temps et de beaucoup de moyens pour réussir un retour de l&#8217;ordre et de la discipline au sein de l&#8217;armée. Il lui sera surtout difficile de convaincre tous les militaires de la nature de leur mission pour la nation guinéenne.</p>
<p>La tentation de garder le pouvoir n&#8217;est toujours pas à exclure car face aux militaires, nous déplorons tous la division des partis politiques et le manque d&#8217;un réel leadership en Guinée. Les ambitions personnelles et l&#8217;organisation des partis politiques sur des bases ethnocentristes ou régionalistes constituent les causes des réelles faiblesses de la classe politique guinéenne.</p>
<p>Les leaders politiques et syndicaux doivent faire preuve d&#8217;un sens élevé de responsabilité pour ne pas encourager l&#8217;installation durable d&#8217;un autre régime militaire en Guinée. Nous devons arrêter de cautionner de manière directe ou indirecte l&#8217;usage de la force dans le contrôle et l&#8217;exercice du pouvoir en Guinée. Ne soyons pas amnésiques car toute dictature ne conduira notre pays qu&#8217;au chaos. L&#8217;usage de la force ne servira qu&#8217;à sauvegarder les intérêts d&#8217;une minorité aux dépens des intérêts légitimes de notre peuple.</p>
<p>Sous la dictature, il n&#8217;y'aura jamais de développement en Guinée. Seul l&#8217;avènement d&#8217;un régime démocratique et la création d&#8217;un Etat de droit conduiront notre pays vers le développement. Notre intérêt à tous est de cultiver et de développer la Conscience nationale. Nous devons nous battre pour élever le débat politique et sortir des considérations personnelles, ethniques et régionalistes. J’avoue que les vieux leaders politiques ne facilitent ce travail aux jeunes arrivants. Pourtant, il est plus que temps d&#8217;ouvrir notre pays aux réalités du monde et de s&#8217;inscrire dans sa marche et sa dynamique. La Guinée ne peut pas continuer de vivre à la marge du monde et de ne pas suivre la voie du progrès économique et social.</p>
<p>Nous devons rejeter toute idée de fatalité ou de malédictions.</p>
<p>La pauvreté et la misère ne sont pas des fatalités.</p>
<p>Notre peuple dispose de réelles potentialités pour lutter et vaincre le sous-développement dans notre pays. Travaillons à la mobilisation des consciences et des énergies pour construire notre pays. Aimons notre peuple et nourrissons la grande ambition de construire une grande nation éprise de paix et de prospérité.</p>
<p>Nous allons nous déterminer dans les futures élections démocratiques non pas en fonction de critères ethniques ou régionalistes mais uniquement en fonction des projets de société présentés par les partis politiques représentatifs et responsables. Notre vote fera le choix non d&#8217;un homme, d&#8217;une ethnie ou d&#8217;une région mais le choix du meilleur projet de société pour construire un Etat de droit, l&#8217;unité et la prospérité en terre guinéenne et africaine.</p>
<p>La jeunesse guinéenne est le fer de lance des transformations indispensables pour engager notre pays sur la voie du développement.</p>
<p>.</p>
<p>Tous unis, tous solidaires pour construire la Guinée de demain.</p>
<p>Bonne année à tous les militants pour une guinée plus démocratique</p>
<p>Mamadou Barry</p>
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		<title>All perpetrators must be prosecuted &#8220;to the full extent of the law&#8221; &#8211; Norman Siegel</title>
		<link>http://www.allianceguinea.org/2009/12/all-perpetrators-must-be-prosecuted-to-the-full-extent-of-the-law-norman-siegel/</link>
		<comments>http://www.allianceguinea.org/2009/12/all-perpetrators-must-be-prosecuted-to-the-full-extent-of-the-law-norman-siegel/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:48:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alliance Guinea</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.allianceguinea.org/?p=347</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In calling the atrocities committed in Conakry, Guinea “crimes against humanity,” the United Nations has taken one step toward bringing those responsible for that criminal behavior to justice.  Our world leaders must urge the International Criminal Court, which is legally independent of the U.N., to prosecute all perpetrators to the full extent of the law [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In calling the atrocities committed in Conakry, Guinea “crimes against humanity,” the United Nations has taken one step toward bringing those responsible for that criminal behavior to justice.  Our world leaders must urge the International Criminal Court, which is legally independent of the U.N., to prosecute all perpetrators to the full extent of the law and to issue a status report of the I.C.C. investigation underway.</p>
<p>Although the U.N. has singled out specific military leaders as the individuals directly responsible for the massacre, the I.C.C. must fully investigate and hold accountable all individuals who were either directly or indirectly involved in the attacks.  Until that happens, justice will not be served.</p>
<p>Norman Siegel, New York</p>
<p>The writer is a civil rights lawyer and the Treasurer of the Amadou Diallo Foundation, Inc.</p>
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		<title>Atrocities strongly suggest crimes against humanity</title>
		<link>http://www.allianceguinea.org/2009/12/atrocities-strongly-suggest-crimes-against-humanity/</link>
		<comments>http://www.allianceguinea.org/2009/12/atrocities-strongly-suggest-crimes-against-humanity/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:47:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>sekou</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.allianceguinea.org/?p=337</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Since the September 28 massacre in Guinea by members of the Government security apparatus; human rights organizations and United Nations investigation teams have concluded their inquiries. Human Rights Watch (HRW) published its report on Thursday 17  December, which clearly demonstrates that the crimes (sexual, physical violence etc…) committed that day where premeditated and the evidence [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Since the September 28 massacre in Guinea by members of the Government security apparatus; human rights organizations and United Nations investigation teams have concluded their inquiries.  Human Rights Watch (HRW) published <a href="http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/guinea1209webwcover_0.pdf" target="_blank">its report</a> on Thursday 17  December, which clearly demonstrates that the crimes (sexual, physical violence etc…) committed that day where premeditated and the evidence strongly suggests that they amount to crimes against humanity.</p>
<p>An interview of some <em>240 individuals, including </em> <em>victims wounded during the attack, witnesses present in the stadium, relatives of missing people, soldiers who participated in the violent crackdown and the government cover-up…</em> led to their conclusion. This suggests that Presidential Guards acted according to specific orders and they intended to inflict serious harm on innocent people.</p>
<p>We also await the release of the UN Commission of Inquiry&#8217;s report, apparently delivered to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon the same day as the HRW report release, but it is not yet in the public domain.  Given the <a href="http://www.rfi.fr/actuen/articles/120/article_6202.asp" target="_blank">interview </a>that Dadis&#8217;s erstwhile right-hand man Toumba gave to RFI this week pointing the finger back at the incapacitated junta leader, it is more critical than ever that the investigation be transparent and the findings shared publicly.</p>
<p>Those who committed these murderous and heinous acts must not go unpunished. The perpetrators must be brought to justice or justice brought to them. Those who also assisted in the planned massacre must be held accountable for their behavior. An assistant to a crime has a responsibility in the crime committed.</p>
<p>Sekou Konde for Alliance Guinea</p>
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