Protesters calling for the resignation of President Lansana Conte have returned to the streets of Conakry to rekindle the embers of their protests from mid-January . Conte promised to turn over power to a prime minister, a move he made good on on February 9 (Advisory). But his appointee, Eugene Camara, was deemed too close to Conte, calling him a ?yes-man,? and catalyzed the protest movement. The movement no longer demands an impartial prime minister, but rather Conte?s removal, ?pure and simple.?
Witnesses have reported gunfire, and security forces are trying to prevent Guineans armed with machetes and other [primitive] weapons from returning to the capital city center via the November 30 Bridge for what is anticipated to be violent protest. The BBC reported the city center to be ?in chaos?after protesters went on a rampage, ransacking government offices and the homes of government officials? (source). Nine people reportedly died on February 12 alone, and a soldier was lynched and immolated a day prior; over 60 people have perished since the protests began.
Martial Law
The President imposed martial law nationwide on February 12, permitting the military to ?take ?all necessary measures? to restore law and order? (source) and avoid civil war. The declaration prevents ?all public meetings, empowers the military to arrest anyone they believe threatens state security and imposes a strict curfew? (source). These impositions are likely to enrage the protest movement, as the security apparatus?widely distrusted for its unilateral support of Conte–is given wider authority to instill Conte?s will. Thus far, the military continues to support their strongman.
Future
The futures for the country and the region look bleak. Civil unrest, possibly war, can be expected should Conte either die (he suffers from diabetes, a heart condition, and relative old age) or be overthrown. Either case is quite likely, as he has left no successor, his country is rife with corruption and gross mismanagement, and Conte?s opposition is growing increasingly boisterous and discontent. Transparency International ranked Guinea as the most corrupt country in Africa in its 2006 corruption perception index. The protesting seems to be spreading to other Guinean cities, and it has begun impacting the country?s primary export: the bauxite industry. A primary, and likely, concern is that this instability will spread into neighboring Liberia , Cote d?Ivoire , and Sierra Leone , each teetering on civil war themselves and fighting off internal and external rebel groups.
Business Interests
The international airport has been closed since February 10. Most businesses have been closed, and US citizens are advised to avoid travel to Guinea for the near-term (Advisory). For those with business interests in Guinea, the US is preparing to airlift private citizens and diplomats? families out of Guinea. This is not a full evacuation of the country; US Embassy staff members have been advised to stay in their residences, to avoid any travel, but to remain alert and avoid crowds if they must be in public. Americans in Guinea should register with the Embassy to receive notification of evacuation or other in-country emergency requirements.
