D’une part, nous pouvons célébrer ces dernières élections législatives en tant qu’un nouveau début, une opportunité fraîche de s’engager avec la société civile, les partis de l’opposition et la communauté internationale, comme le président aurait déjà commencé à faire avec une nouvelle vigueur cette semaine. La décision d’écouter les préoccupations – même si, sous le prétexte des raisons purement techniques – représente une ouverture politique importante afin de pouvoir reformuler l’approche au vote, et trouver un consensus dans le futur proche. Mais les questions demeurent: le Président Condé, va-t-il travailler ouvertement et efficacement avec la société civile et l’opposition, ou continuer à prendre des décisions en huis clos? Et l’opposition, va-t-elle mettre de côté des manœuvres politiques inutiles au nom du bien commun notamment l’élection d’un organe représentatif des hommes et des femmes dont le devoir est de servir le peuple guinéen?

Le président doit confirmer une nouvelle date au moins 70 jours avant le vote. Avant que cela puisse arriver, la présidence, la commission électorale et les partis de l’opposition doivent s’entendre sur le personnel et les modalités nécessaires pour rendre les élections libres et équitables. Alliance Guinea estime que le président, la CENI et les partis politiques ne feraient qu’accroître leur autorité et leur crédibilité en se mobilisant rapidement afin de tenir ces élections dès que possible. Avec un corps de représentants des citoyens bien établi, la Guinée ne peut entamer la reconstruction du pays. Quant au président Condé, nous l’encourageons de rechercher un consensus, et tenir ce vote. La Guinée ne peut s’épanouir sous l’égide d’une gouvernance exécutive unique.

Le nouveau retard sur l’organisation des élections législatives en Guinée : Une opportunité d’obtenir le consensus, non pas de prolonger le pouvoir exécutif unique à l’indéfini is a post from: Alliance Guinea

President Conde cited “technical reasons” for the delay, but the opposition political parties in Guinea have hotly contested these poll preparations under current conditions for several different reasons. While technical complications regarding the digital voting card systems are real and must be resolved, the greater challenge may be the political one. The National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) desperately needs true neutrality both at its head and in its technical corps, and both the CENI and the presidency need to finally make good on promises (renewed yesterday) to sincerely engage with the opposition in frank dialogue to resolve this problem and ensure that campaigning and voting take place on an equal playing field open to all.

On the one hand, we could celebrate the latest legislative election delay as a blank slate, a new opportunity to engage with the civil society, the opposition parties and the international community, as the president apparently began to do with new vigor this week. The decision to listen to concerns – even if under the guise of purely technical reasons – represents an important political opening to reformulate the approach to engagement over the vote, and seek consensus on the way forward. But the questions remain: will President Condé work openly and efficiently with civil society and the opposition, or continue to make decisions in isolation? And will the opposition put aside unnecessary political jockeying in the name of the common good: the election of a representative body of men and women whose duty is to serve the Guinean people?

The President must confirm a new date at least 70 days before the vote is to be held. Before this happens, the presidency, electoral commission and opposition parties must agree on the people and modalities needed to make the elections free and fair. Alliance Guinea feels that the President, CENI and political parties alike only will only increases their authority and credibility by swiftly moving to hold these elections as soon as possible. With a body of citizens’ representatives firmly established, Guinea can get on with the business of rebuilding the country. President Condé: seek consensus, and hold this vote. Guinea will not flourish under indefinite executive rule.

The Latest Legislative Election Delay in Guinea: An Opportunity to Obtain Consensus, not Prolong Indefinite Executive Rule is a post from: Alliance Guinea

• To encourage close collaboration and cooperation between NGOs themselves and with the African Commission with the goal of promoting human rights in Africa;
• To provide a discussion space for organizations working in the areas of human rights and democracy on the continent;
• To promote networking on the regional level for the implementation of the decisions made by the African Commission.

M. Bah expressed his satisfaction that the objectives has been met by the end of the session and was pleased with the contacts made that can help Alliance Guinea achieve its mission of promoting democracy and human rights for all Guineans.

Press coverage of the event in English:

http://www.afriquejet.com/gambia-forum-to-foster-closer-ties-between-ngos-achpr-kicks-off-2012041536982.html

Alliance Guinea’s Country Director attends Gambia NGO forum is a post from: Alliance Guinea

Alliance Guinea President Dr. Jennifer Swift-Morgan on Mali in Foreign Policy is a post from: Alliance Guinea

Ensemble, nous pouvons finir cette transition | Together, We Can Complete this Transition is a post from: Alliance Guinea

HRW’s latest press release celebrates progress on Sept 28 case is a post from: Alliance Guinea

Le 28 septembre 2009 en Guinée – l’anniversaire du referendum de son Independence – des dizaines de milliers de guinéens de toutes communautés, tous âges et toutes couches sociales ont manifesté pacifiquement contre la dictature militaire et pour le retour à une vie constitutionnelle normale. En réponse, le militaire guinéen les a piégé, brutalisé, humilié, violenté, violé, poignardé et tué sans aucun regard de la vie et la dignité humaine. Selon le Croix Rouge International, au moins 157 personnes ont été tuées et 1200 blessées ce jour-ci, et une centaine de femmes et jeunes filles violées, les canons des fusils introduits dans leurs parties intimes, tout ceci publiquement et sous les yeux de la hiérarchie militaire.

Le lendemain est née Alliance Guinea, un forum fort de guinéen(ne)s et amis de la Guinée de partout au monde fondée afin de honorer ceux qui on fait l’ultime sacrifice ce jour-ci en promouvant les idéaux pour lesquels nos sœurs et frères luttaient : le droit de toute citoyenne et citoyen à l’auto-détermination et aux droits humains fondamentaux.

Mission: Promouvoir la démocratie, les droits humains et l’unité en Guinée.

Approche: Un forum global et non partisan pour des amis de la Guinée de toutes nationalités et toutes ethnies pour partager des informations et ressources et créer des synergies puissantes pour le plaidoyer et l’action.

Aujourd’hui l’ensemble des membres et sympathisants d’Alliance Guinea par la voix du bureau exécutif félicitent la société civile guinéenne et toutes les organisations de défense de droits de l’Homme, la communauté internationale et la justice guinéenne pour ce pas vers la procédure judiciaire du massacre du 28 septembre.

Nous lançons un appel a la communauté internationale en générale et le gouvernement américain en particulier pour s’impliquer d’avantage afin qu’il y ait procès équitable dans le respect absolu de la loi et des normes internationales.
Nous plaidons auprès du gouvernement guinéen pour assurer la sécurité des plaignants, les témoins et les familles des victimes et surtout protéger l’identité des femmes violées.

Que les âmes de ces patriotes qui ont perdu leur vie pour le respect du droit universel, la démocratie, et le bonheur de tous les guinéens reposent en paix.

- Le Bureau Exécutif

Communiqué de Presse sur la suite de justice pour les crimes du 28 septembre is a post from: Alliance Guinea

Earlier: Guinea charges official over stadium massacre http://bit.ly/wdRSgr

Alliance Guinea Responds to Avances on Sept. 28 Case is a post from: Alliance Guinea

In most places of the world, not being paid your due salary for weeks would trigger harsh legal repercussions for the employer. In Guinea, the street cleaners have taken to the protests after three months of back-pay and no success in obtain legal backing for their case. Among President Conde’s first actions as president was to commit himself to ‘cleaning up the city of litter.’ This was a much welcome announcement which resulted in newly created jobs and some clean streets in the busy capital of Conakry.

The street cleaner now however, are claiming 1,500,000 GNF of backpay, about $206 USD. A financial officer at the cleaners agency, IC TRANSPORT Lamine Traore claims that once the government gave them the contract with the current cleaners, they were owed two months salary of October and November 2011 from the SPDT (Public society for the transport of waste).

The cleaners striked last Monday, throwing garbage in center of the capital, Kaloum, primarily as a protest against the minister of Justice, claiming that since April the handing down of court decisions have been suspended by Chief Justice Christian Sow. The national association of street cleaners have suspended their activities until further notice. (1)

Another strike this week was among students at University Julius Nyere in Kankan, the countries second largest university who have not been given their due university living and food stipend by governmental agencies since October. Instructors at the school are quoted to say the lack of stipend payment to students is nothing new. (2)

Then there was action 6 days ago in Kamsar, Guinea’s corporate mining town in the northwest where “hundreds of people, mostly students, poured into the streets in a spontaneous downtown protest to ‘show their frustration’ … throwing stones at official vehicles and public buildings.” (3)

All these events are pointing to a surge in citizen actions demanding just working conditions, respect for promises made during the elections and fairness in business dealings. Given the convergence of all these protests, and the ongoing disfunction in discussions between the Government and opposition groups in setting a date for the legislative elections, we can’t help but wonder if the protests reach a fever pitch? One person has already died in Kamsar. What can we do to ensure more are not killed?

Guinea certainly has its differences with North Africa, but some critical pieces are shared: a young, undereducated and unemployed population, tired of authoritarian rule (inspite of democratic elections, what has changed for the youth?) and a system of remuneration and justice that often cheat people of their rights. While we urge peaceful protest to prevail, we’re concerned that the intersection between these rights violations and the lack of responsiveness of Government authorities and the subsequent recriminations by various parties against the other are creating conditions that far to quickly lead to violence.

If we are to prevent a bloody spring in Guinea, we need to see more from its leaders to ensure rights are respected.

(1) http://wadr.org/fr/site/news_fr/2822/Guin%C3%A9e–huissiers-et-balayeuses-de-rues-en-col%C3%A8re.htm?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

(2) http://www.guineenews.org/articles/detail_article.asp?num=2012110114249 http://www.guineenews.org/articles/detail_article.asp?num=201211143226

(3) http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h2WTS_CgIkHXfsCrua-hI8KmQb8g?docId=CNG.8755c3628b023cdc70d2df419a357c4e.551

Are Guineans Preparing their Spring? Remuneration and the Justice System is a post from: Alliance Guinea

This year, one of our top priorities as an organization is to promote the speedy and transparent organization of legislative elections with broad participation of all the parties, civil society and international observers. This would meet a promise that President Condé made upon his inauguration over one year ago.

However, progress has been slow. At an “inclusive dialogue” meeting this week, President Condé promised to listen to opposition groups and civil society organizations when setting the date for now postponed legislative elections. Alliance welcomes this sign of inclusivity, but we are worried the process could stall. After his visit late this week, former Senegalese President and Secretary General of the OIF Abdou Diouf expressed his deep worry about the political dialogue. We can’t help but agree, and wonder what is the ideal role for civil society?

What can we do to continue pushing it forward? We are calling on Alliance members to propose actions in Guinea and in the international community to ensure a participatory, transparent and democratic elections.

The past two years have been a series of ups and downs in Guinea’s push towards democracy.  In November 2010, after 50 years of military rule, Guinea held its first open and transparent Presidential elections.  President Condé promised to hold legislative elections within the next year.  After not setting a date for a majority of the year, the date was set in the late fall for December 29, 2011.  The short notice drew criticism from opposition and members of civil society, who accused the President and the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) of not allowing opposition enough time to prepare for the elections.  President Condé met with opposition leaders at the end of November, and the legislative election date was postponed.

We’re calling on the Guinean government to set a new date as soon as possible. The CENI recently promised to include the opposition when choosing a new date for the first elections since 2002.

The challenges for the coming year are steep, but can be overcome with your help.  Candidates will need to avoid playing on the ethnic tensions that could compromise peace and stability in the country.  Engaging Guinea’s youth will also be important; earlier this year young members from 29 political parties gathered in Conakry and pledged for peaceful participation in the upcoming election. Violence in general will be a concern.  It has been two years since the massacres of September 2009, and Guineans are still in search of justice.  Proving to Guineans that the military is accountable will be essential, and Guinea’s recent downsizing of the military was a positive step forward.   Human Rights Watch released a statement on the one year anniversary of President Condé’s term in office, highlighting the upcoming elections, the manipulation of the judiciary system, and conduct of the security forces as major concerns.

Holding free, fair and open legislative elections will be an incredible step forward in establishing representative institutions that are the foundations of a stable democracy.  The precedent has been set; the Presidential elections in November of 2010 were largely ruled as free and fair.  It is now the responsibility of President Condé, the CENI, and opposition parties to allow and promote peaceful and open dialogue so that Guinea can move forward in its pursuit of democracy.

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Interested in sharing your thoughts in a longer form? E-mail info@allianceguinea.org about writing a blog for our website.

President Condé’s promise of transparent dialogue in preparing the legislative elections is essential for 2012 is a post from: Alliance Guinea