Democracy News

Guinea Appoints Civilian Prime Minister; Camara Goes Into Exile
January 20, 2010
By: Randi Zung | Printer Friendly

Following the December 2009 assassination attempt of junta leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, the political climate in Guinea appears to be moving in a positive direction.  The New York Times reports that Guinean military leaders and members from opposition coalition, Forces Vives, reached an agreement to work together to establish an interim government.  The interim government will have Jean-Marie Doré as prime minister, as endorsed by both oppositions forces and members of the military government, and will have a 30 member administration – consisting of 10 from the ruling junta, 10 from the opposition coalition, and 10 representatives from regions of Guinea.  AFP reports Doré will be mainly tasked with restoring “democratic government,” one of the main initiatives being preparing for the county’s upcoming nationwide election.  In addition, the agreement stipulates that Camara will go into exile in Burkina Faso. 

Some analysts believe that Doré’s appointment signals the beginning of a peaceful transition, but Oury Bah, vice president of the political party Union of Democratic Forces, said that the proposed composition of the interim government will strip the prime minister from having any real power: “It’s as if the prime minister has no real power. We can’t accept this in the transition.”  Doré, having been involved with Guinean politics for many years, is potentially an unpredictable figure.  In addition to being one of the brutalized victims in the September massacre, he has also publicly proclaimed friendship with Liberian warlord Charles Taylor.  Doré has been a vocal opponent of the military government, stating: “There’s a disjunction between the work that must be done, and the people doing it. The competencies at hand are not up to the job.”

According to news outlet AllAfrica.com, individuals who are currently in political office and members of the military junta will not be eligible to run in the upcoming election.  The agreement was reportedly signed by Camara, Konaté, and Burkina Faso's President Blaise Compaore, who helped facilitate the agreement.  French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said that they endorsed the positives steps that Guinea is taking to resolve their political crises and stated that France will help the country work towards carrying out legitimate elections: “[France will] attempt to mobilize Guinea's partners so that they can accompany the process toward elections.”

Prior to December 2009, Camara and his junta government faced scrutiny by the international community for the September 2009 massacre that took place at a pro-democracy rally.  According to eyewitness accounts, Camara’s soldiers raped women in the streets and opened fire on crowds of people.  The United Nations and the International Criminal Court accused Camara’s government of being guilty of crimes against humanity.  Camara who was shot in the neck by one of his own soldiers, was originally flown to Morocco for medical treatment, and was recently taken to Burkina Faso to continue to recover from his injuries, BBC News reports.  Since Camara’s departure, General Sékouba Konaté has assumed the role of leader of the country.  Konaté took part in the negotiations with the Forces Vives.  It is still unclear what role the country’s army will play in the interim government. 

Sources:
New York Times - Guinea Junta Picks Opponent as Premier on Path to Civilian Control
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/world/africa/20guinea.html?scp=2&sq=guinea&st=cse

AllAfrica.com - Parties Agree on Unity Govt, Elections
http://allafrica.com/stories/201001160022.html

BBC News - Guinea junta head Camara 'to recover in Burkina Faso'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8455682.stm