- After running a controversial interview with ex-Prime Minister François Lonceny Fall, the L'intelligent newspaper was denied distribution by authorities in Guinea. The interview outlined the "authoritarian tendencies" of the President as the reason behind Mr Fall's resignation.
The 2-8 May edition of the Guinean L'intelligent newspaper has not been permitted to appear on newsstands. The paper, which ought to have been on the newsstands by Monday 3 May, was not circulated by SOGUIDIP, the Guinean newspaper distribution company.
According to Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)-Guinea, the Ministry of Local Government prevented the distribution of the newspaper because it carried the front page banner headline, "Guinea - François Lonceny Fall: Why I am resigning."
The article, with the by-line of reporter Marwane Ben Yahmed, alleged that Mr Fall, who was appointed Prime Minister by General Lansana Conté barely two months ago, on 23 February, purported to "reveal" the reasons for his resignation.
The story alleged that ex-Prime Minister Fall was being frustrated at the head of government. He was also said to have been perturbed about the authoritarian tendencies of the aging and frail Guinean President.
The Prime Minister allegedly recalled an occasion when he tried to persuade General Conté about the need for some economic reforms. President Conté is said to have told riposted that, "... me, I am a General. You Ministers, you are my corporals. I give the orders, you carry them out. I don't discuss with you."
The article also attributed to the former Prime Minister, allegations about some hidden ploys of the government of President Conté. A power struggle is expected in Guinea as the President is getting weaker from an unknown disease while no clear successor has yet emerged.
- On 3 May, the management of SOGUIDIP had made several enquires with the Ministry of Local Government, MFWA reports, "seeking final authorisation to distribute the newspaper." Each time, the authorities of the Ministry had asked SOGUIDIP to hold on.
Consequently, only direct subscribers to the L'intelligent newspaper were able to receive the issue, which then begun to be photocopied and sold clandestinely in Conakry.
There is no specific law requiring SOGUIDIP to receive the permission of the MATD before distributing a publication. However, it has been a long-standing practice in guinea, which seems to have attained the force of law over time.
Media freedom and freedom of expression have been particularly violated in Guinea since the disputed 21 December 2003 elections returned General Lansana Conté, who first came to office in a coup d'état in 1984, to an unprecedented third five-year term in office.
The Media Foundation of West Africa today urged people to protest the refusal of the Guinea Ministry of Local Government to allow the circulation of latest issue of L'intelligent. Protest cards should be sent to President Conté, the Foundation urged.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.