Beginning on January 12, 2007, Guinea , a tiny west African nation, nearly imploded, yet with nominal mass media attention. While public services and commercial interests closed for a third and most unified indefinite general strike by two unions (the National Confederation of Guinean Workers and the Guinean Workers Union), two NGOs (the National Council of Civil Society Organizations and the Civic Alliance), and two opposition parties (the Rally for the Guinean People and the Union of Republican Forces) against President Lansana Conte in one year, the nation?s bauxite industry?approximately one-third of the world?s reserve–went on largely unscathed. The unions, in particular, have a strong import in Guinea, having helped end French colonization and install the first president, Sekou Toure. ?There?s really a growing solidarity among the movement now, it?s becoming more like a social movement and the strength of civil society is really showing itself,? said Elisabeth Cote, Guinea representative of the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES). However, unionists may involve the bauxite industry to pressure Conte to concessions. National police and military patrols blanketed the streets of Conakry, the capital, in to counter low-level violence and looting in the Matoto, Mambaleye, Kolomba, and Bambeto Sosa neighborhoods, some of which having become no-go zones. As of January 15, strikes and clashes?some violent–continued, and unionist have threatened ?mass nationwide demonstrations? should Conte refuse their demands by January 16.
President Conte, who seized power in a bloodless 1984 coup, is widely suspected to be deathly ill. The tensions stem largely from Conte?s December 2006 pardon of two allies in a government probe into corruption allegations along with Conte?s oft-changing parade of cabinet members (suspected to be the result of powerful lobbies) and allegations of human rights abuses. Unionists demanded the return of the two Conte allies to prison, the dismissal of the transport minister and prime minister, the lowering of fuel prices, and that he turn over presidential powers. Mrs. Conte is negotiating an exit plan with the strikers, as her husband does not make public appearances.
Despite being resource-rich with veins of gold, iron, and bauxite; fertile land; an amble water supply; and a major smelter of aluminium, Guineans are widely poor. The country achieved a paltry two percent growth in 2006, while inflation topped 30 percent. The lead-up to the strike caused mass panic and rationing, leaving banks empty and gas stations dry and stoking further concerns about security and safety.
The strike remained relatively peaceful this time unlike the June 2006 strikes in which 11 people were killed, but if Guinea?with its corruption, economic woes, and crumbling military–takes its lead from any of its neighbors? histories?Sierra Leone , Liberia , or Cote d?Ivoire ?the country may devolve into a lawless state. ?If the strike goes on longer than one week the economic and political consequences are going to be felt,? according to a Guinea expert. Conte?s survivability also contributes to the national instability. Should he die, his country will be left with a leaderless power vacuum.
