Guinea President Lansana Conté: «Close and corrupt ally.»

© afrol News / Gouvt. française

afrol News, 12 February - Guinea is still far from being calm, as security forces continue to tame strikers with gunshots. During the weekend strike, 8 people were reportedly killed by the security forces but unionists remain adamant in their quest to resume strikes, asking for the resignation of President Lansana Conté, who has been ruling from his sick bed.

As people took to the streets on Monday, police fired gunshots at strikers in the Conakry suburbs, killing at least 6 people. At least 20 people were injured. Strikers burnt the offices of a governor in Nzérékoré and a prison in the area.

The renewed wave of protests has grounded the nation to a halt. It was sparked off by the appointment of Eugène Camara as Prime Minister of Guinea by President Conté on Friday. Union leaders called off their 18-day strike on 28 January after they were sure that their demands were going to be met - one of them being appointing a trustworthy Prime Minister.

But the news of Mr Camara's appointment added fuel to fire among trade unionists because according to them, Mr Camara is a close ally of President Conté who is also corrupt. They call his appointment a "new provocation" and betrayal of "our agreement with the President." They therefore called for his immediate resignation.

State radio reported that there would be a meeting involving representatives of government, unions, civil society and religious leaders to diffuse the crisis.

While the station was conducting its morning show today at 11:40 am, Guinea's presidential unit soldiers stormed the 'FM Liberté' building in the capital to rough up several employees of the radio as well as destroying its equipment, cutting it off the air. After arresting two of employees - Tondon Camara and David Camara - the soldiers looted the station's broadcasting centre.

At presstime, no reasons were given for the soldiers' act but according to staff, soldiers had accused them of insulting the President. However, it was widely believed that the soldiers might have been angered by the station's live coverage of the Monday strike.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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