Wednesday, December 24, 2008

A military junta that toppled Guinea's government has announced its new leader in a nationwide radio address

Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara declared himself president of the National Council for Democracy, which he called a transitional body that will oversee the country's return to democracy. In effect, that would make Camara president of Guinea, which was thrown into turmoil after the death of President Lansana Conte. Guinea's parliament is holding negotiations with the military. Camara, previously the spokesman for the National Council for Democracy, suspended the government, constitution, political parties and trade unions. The newly formed government, made up of 26 military personnel and six civilians, is negotiating a power-sharing deal that would reflect its ethnic make-up. But some in the military may not support the new leadership. International institutions, including the African Union, have condemned the coup. Guinea, in western Africa bordering the Atlantic Ocean, has had two presidents since gaining independence from France in 1958. Conte came to power in 1984, when the military seized control of the government after the death of the first president, Sekou Toure. The country did not hold democratic elections until 1993, when Conte was elected president. He was re-elected in 1998 and 2003 amid allegations of electoral irregularities. Worsening economic conditions and dissatisfaction with corruption and bad governance prompted two massive strikes in 2006. A third nationwide strike in early 2007 sparked violent protests that resulted in two weeks of martial law. To appease the unions and end the unrest Conte named a new prime minister in March 2007. Guinea is one of the poorest countries in the world, despite its mineral wealth. The country hosts large refugee populations from neighboring Liberia and Ivory Coast.

Related:

African Union Condemns Guinea Coup Attempt

Ousted Guinean government call for international intervention

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