Under the sun of Doumbouya as yesterday in the time of President Touré, we are certain that at the Presidential Palace we live with a heavy sword of Damocles above our heads as long as we do not change our system of governance based on hatred of others, the repression of our own in blood and the disrespect of our prior commitment to replace the power of arms with the power of dialogue and the ballot box.
We said No to General de Gaulle in 1958, then No to one mandate too many in 2021. Our fellow citizens believed in our good faith. They applauded. In return, instead of meeting their expectations, we chose a system that plays on their fears in order to try to stifle the legitimate demands of any fellow citizen opposed to our way of managing our country. This favorite sport must be stopped. This despicable system of systematic repression of any voice and any protest movement that we recycle with each advent of a new head of state must be banned.
If yesterday, we killed our people in the dungeon and on the gallows, buried the lifeless bodies of our compatriots in mass graves; perpetuated the crime on July 4, 1985, assassinated hope by killing protesters with bare hands and raping hundreds of girls and women, made hundreds of our people disappear on September 28, 2009; organized elections in 2010 by shedding blood for the benefit of the power of manipulation instead of the triumph of the truth of the ballot boxes; now, let us say “never again”!
By Alpha Abdoulaye Diallo, in Le Populaire
Electoral crisis meaning
Table of Contents
Guinea’s Governance Crisis: From Rebellion to Repression
Guinea, a country in West Africa, has been marred by a history of autocratic rule, violence, and electoral crises. The current political climate is no exception, with the nation teetering on the brink of instability. As the writer so eloquently puts it, the country lives under the sword of Damocles, perpetually threatened by a system of governance rooted in hatred, repression, and disregard for democracy.
A Legacy of Autocracy
Guinea’s history is marked by authoritarian rule, from the era of President Ahmed Sékou Touré, who ruled with an iron fist from 1958 to 1984, to the current regime under President Mamady Doumbouya. Despite the country’s independence from France in 1958, democratic values have been consistently thwarted by power-hungry leaders who prioritize their own interests over those of their citizens [[2]].
Election Crises and Repression
Guinea’s elections have been a recurring source of crisis, with the 2020 elections being a prime example. Described as one of the most contested, militarized, and violent elections in the country’s history [[2]], the polls were marred by widespread violence and human rights abuses. Instead of addressing the grievances of the people, the government has opted for repression, stifling dissenting voices and protest movements [[1]].
Systemic Governance Crisis
Guinea’s problems run deeper than just electoral crises. The country’s governance system is fundamentally flawed, with a culture of hatred, repression, and disregard for democratic principles engrained in the fabric of the state [[1]]. This toxic system perpetuates violence, human rights abuses, and economic stagnation, leaving the Guinean people to suffer the consequences.
A Call for Change
The writer’s cry for reform could not be more timely. Guinea’s citizens have repeatedly expressed their desire for change, from rejecting General de Gaulle’s rule in 1958 to opposing President Alpha Condé’s bid for a third term in 2021 [[3]]. Yet, each time, their hopes have been dashed by the government’s refusal to listen to their demands and instead choosing to maintain its grip on power.
Conclusion
Guinea’s governance crisis is a complex, deeply entrenched issue that requires a fundamental transformation of the country’s political system. The writer’s passionate plea for change echoes the sentiments of countless Guineans who yearn for a government that respects their rights, listens to their concerns, and prioritizes their well-being. Until then, the sword of Damocles will continue to hang precariously over the Presidential Palace, threatening to unleash a maelstrom of violence and instability upon the nation.
Keyword optimization: Guinea, governance crisis, President Touré, President Doumbouya, elections, repression, democracy, human rights, political reform.
Political situation in Guinea
Guinea’s Governance Crisis: From Rebellion to Repression
Guinea, a country in West Africa, has been marred by a history of autocratic rule, violence, and electoral crises. The current political climate is no exception, with the nation teetering on the brink of instability. As the writer so eloquently puts it, the country lives under the sword of Damocles, perpetually threatened by a system of governance rooted in hatred, repression, and disregard for democracy.
A Legacy of Autocracy
Guinea’s history is marked by authoritarian rule, from the era of President Ahmed Sékou Touré, who ruled with an iron fist from 1958 to 1984, to the current regime under President Mamady Doumbouya [[2]]. Despite the country’s independence from France in 1958, democratic values have been consistently thwarted by power-hungry leaders who prioritize their own interests over those of their citizens [[2]].
Election Crises and Repression
Guinea’s elections have been a recurring source of crisis, with the 2020 elections being a prime example. Described as one of the most contested, militarized, and violent elections in the country’s history [[2]], the polls were marred by widespread violence and human rights abuses. Instead of addressing the grievances of the people, the government has opted for repression, stifling dissenting voices and protest movements [[1]].
Systemic Governance Crisis
Guinea’s problems run deeper than just electoral crises. The country’s governance system is fundamentally flawed, with a culture of hatred, repression, and disregard for democratic principles engrained in the fabric of the state [[1]]. This toxic system perpetuates violence, human rights abuses, and economic stagnation, leaving the Guinean people to suffer the consequences.
A Call for Change
The writer’s cry for reform could not be more timely. Guinea’s citizens have repeatedly expressed their desire for change, from rejecting General de Gaulle’s rule in 1958 to opposing President Alpha Condé’s bid for a third term in 2021 [[3]]. Yet, each time, their hopes have been dashed by the government’s refusal to listen to their demands and instead choosing to maintain its grip on power.
Conclusion
Guinea’s governance crisis is a complex, deeply entrenched issue that requires a fundamental transformation of the country’s political system. The writer’s passionate plea for change echoes the sentiments of countless Guineans who yearn for a government that respects their rights, listens to their concerns, and prioritizes their well-being. Until then, the sword of Damocles will continue to hang over the people of Guinea, threatening their lives and livelihoods.
Guinea’s governance crisis is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention and action. The country’s history of autocratic rule, electoral crises, and systemic governance failures have created a toxic environment that perpetuates violence, human rights abuses, and economic stagnation. It is high time for the Guinean government to listen to the demands of its citizens and embark on a journey of reform and transformation. Only then can the country begin to heal and move towards a more democratic, peaceful, and prosperous future.
References:
[[1]]2024 Investment Climate Statements: Guinea (https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-investment-climate-statements/guinea/)
[[2]]BTI 2024 Guinea Country Report (https://bti-project.org/en/reports/country-report/GIN)
[[3]]Migration Governance Indicators | Republic of Guinea (https://publications.iom.int/books/migration-governance-indicators-profile-2022-republic-guinea)
