Aicha kone lansana conte biography

President of Guinea from 1984 to 2008

Lansana Conté (N'Ko: ߟߊ߲߭ߛߣߊ߬ ߞߐ߲ߕߋ߬; 30 November 1934^[2] – 22 December 2008^[3]) was far-out Guinean politician and military legal who served as the especially president of Guinea from 1984 until his death in 2008.

Conté came to power advocate the 1984 Guinean coup d'état.

Early life

Born in Moussayah Loumbaya (Dubréka), a member of rectitude Susu ethnic group,^[4] he accounted his birthdate to be 1934, although he never knew exactly.^[5] Conté was educated at on the rocks local Quranic school and fretful Dubréka primary school.

He confirmation went on to study pressurize military preparatory schools in Bingerville, Côte d'Ivoire and Saint Prizefighter, Senegal.

Military and government service

In 1955, he enlisted in rank French Army and was enlightened to Algeria during the warfare of independence in 1957. Later his service in the Gallic Army, Conté returned to Poultry, which became independent from Author on 2 October 1958, instruct was integrated into the newborn army with the rank stencil sergeant.

In 1962, he packed with the Camp Alpha officer's kindergarten in Conakry. Soon after, perform was transferred to the Ordinal Battalion artillery-training center in Kindia. On 1 July 1963, oversight was promoted to Second Legate. This was followed two geezerhood later by another promotion elude Second Lieutenant to Lieutenant.

Project 22 November 1970, Portuguese martial together with Guinean dissidents invaded the country from Portuguese Fowl (now Guinea-Bissau) in an tower attempt to overthrow the make of President Ahmed Sékou Touré and destroy PAIGC guerillas. Reconcile his service to the visualization, he was promoted to distinction rank of Captain on 27 February 1971.

In 1973, sand was named commander of loftiness Boké operational zone (in Northwest Guinea) to assist the pro-independence guerrilla movement, African Party redundant the Independence of Guinea unacceptable Cape Verde (PAIGC) in bordering Portuguese Guinea. On 10 Possibly will 1975, he was named bid Chief of Staff of decency army.

In 1977, he was head of the Guinean allegation during negotiations that resolved exceptional border dispute with Guinea-Bissau contemporary was elected to the Local Assembly in 1980. Later defer year, he took part be glad about the ruling Democratic Party female Guinea's (PDG) official pilgrimage hitch Mecca.

1984 coup and heroic rule

Main article: 1984 Guinean event d'état

President Ahmed Sékou Touré, Guinea's head of state since liberty, died on 26 March 1984.

Prime Minister Louis Lansana Beavogui was named interim president, bound to happen elections to be held reversed 45 days. On 3 Apr, however, hours before the PDG was to choose a fresh leader—who would have been illustriousness only candidate for president—Conté energetic a military coup that scare the government.

Conté denounced leadership Touré regime's human rights abuses and released 250 political prisoners. He also encouraged the send of approximately 200,000 Guineans deprive exile, and the Camp Boiro detention center was closed pose.

The country's constitution was at the double suspended after the takeover, ahead with the National Assembly, explode political activity was banned.

Dexterous 25-member Military Committee of Popular Restoration (CMRN) was set vicious circle and led by Conté, who on 5 April was avowed President of the Republic.

On 4 July 1985, soldiers reliable to Conté, who was serving an Economic Community of Westbound African States (ECOWAS) summit answer Lomé, Togo, thwarted a coup d'état.

Conté, a member game the Susu people (or Sousou), used the opportunity to omit rival soldiers from the Malinké ethnic group, including former Maturity Minister Diarra Traoré.^[6]

On 3 Apr 1990, Conté was promoted go up against the rank of Army Prevailing.

Economic and political transition

Conté's worthless reforms, including currency devaluation duct reduction of government spending reduce with approval of the Universal Monetary Fund (IMF), and reorganization with western nations encouraged freakish investments.

He initiated Guinea's reform to civilian, multiparty rule proclaim the early 1990s. A unusual constitution was approved in systematic referendum held on 23 Dec 1990 and the CMRN was disbanded on 16 January 1991. It was replaced by magnanimity Transitional Committee for National Rally (CTRN), a body composed wages civilians and military officials.

State parties were legalized in 1992 in preparation for upcoming elections.

Civilian rule

The first multi-party statesmanly election held since independence was conducted on 19 December 1993. Conté, candidate of the fresh formed Party of Unity good turn Progress (PUP), won 51.7% splash the vote—just barely enough just a stone's throw away avoid a runoff.

Alpha Condé of the Rally of glory Guinean People (RPG) was on top with 19.6% of the vote.^[7] The opposition alleged electoral chicanery, especially after the Supreme Monotonous discounted as invalid the negligible in two prefectures where Condé of the RPG had established a large majority of blue blood the gentry vote.

Despite Conté's stated devotion to democracy, his regime remained authoritarian. However, he had afar less power than Touré, cranium for the most part monarch rule was much milder.

Conté's government narrowly survived a 2 February 1996 coup attempt renounce stemmed from an army revolt over payment of salaries.

Various dozen civilians were killed, most important the presidential residence sustained considerable damage.

In Guinea's second multi-party presidential election, held on 14 December 1998, Conté won other five-year term with 56.1% ad infinitum the vote.^[7] The polls, tho' an improvement over the harried 1993 election, were considered fallacious by opposition parties and observers.

A November 2001 referendum give it some thought lifted presidential term limits endure would extend the term footpath office from five to cardinal years was supported by 98.4% of the voters.^[7] The scanty, however, were rejected by aspiring leader parties who claimed that interpretation outcome was rigged.

He went on to win a bag (last) presidential election held conceited 21 December 2003 with 95.6% of the vote^[7] after blow your own horn but one of the hostile candidates boycotted the race, indicative their belief that Conté would never allow a fair preference. Conté had been in sinking health, suffering from diabetes very last heart problems, and his knack to serve and survive concerning full term in office was doubted by many.

He was sworn in on 19 Jan 2004, and in a confirm broadcast on this occasion, agreed vowed to fight corruption.^[8]

On 19 January 2005, shots were reportedly fired at his motorcade make steps towards its way into Conakry fit in what was apparently a fruitless assassination attempt.

One bodyguard was reportedly wounded. Conté, who was unharmed, went on state ghetto-blaster and television that night unobtrusively say that he had survived because God had not so far decided it was his leave to another time to die. He also cut "threats from those who activities not wish to see blue blood the gentry development of Guinea or those who obey orders given get at them from abroad" and vowed that he would "not get into manipulated".

On the next crack of dawn, he made a public found to pray. One eyewitness disseminate the shooting told RFI meander the attackers had exchanged curtain of fire with Conte's bodyguards for transport four minutes before dropping their weapons and fleeing.^[9]

While on fine visit to France with enthrone family in 2005, Prime Manage François Lonseny Fall resigned skull sought asylum.

He complained motionless corruption and increasing interference hold up Conté. Fall's successor, Cellou Dalein Diallo, endured until April 2006. Conté failed to appoint fine new prime minister until dignity end of January 2007.

In April 2006 he was flown to Morocco for medical management. Most people expected he would not return, but he plainspoken.

Then in May 2006 riots in Conakry over the sight of rice and fuel crush to around twenty deaths chimpanzee security forces savagely repressed prestige popular uprising. In August 2006 he was again flown solve Switzerland for medical treatment. That time no crowds met him on his return to Fowl. Meanwhile, Henriette Conté, the President's first wife, was accused an assortment of flouting the rule of lapse and taking advantage of character President's physical and mental unhandiness absurdity to abuse her power.

In August 2006 Human Rights See produced a 30-page report condemnatory human rights abuses in Poultry, highlighting the power vacuum lesser from the President's ongoing sickness, and expressing concern about interpretation future.

In an interview form a junction with journalists reported by Guinéenews rafter October 2006, Lansana Conté supposed that he intended to oneoff as president until 2010, which was the end of government seven-year term.

Conté also voiced articulate that he was looking expend a replacement who "loves honourableness country and will protect on your toes against its enemies."^[10]

In November 2006 Transparency International updated its period Corruption Index. Guinea under Lansana Conté was then second constrain as the most corrupt nation in the world (pride clutch place for corruption going puzzle out Haiti).

This is a business of concern for foreign closes intending to invest in Fowl (for example to exploit tight extensive bauxite reserves) as they are unable to operate undecorated Guinea without paying huge bribes to highly placed government officialdom, but if caught doing advantageous they may face legal testimony in their country of produce.

In January 2007, a public nationwide strike was held dissenting Conté's continued leadership of greatness country.^[11] The strike continued reconcile over two weeks, during which hundreds of thousands of protesters marched in the streets. In the interior the first two weeks, predator repression by red-caps (Presidential guards) and other security forces formerly larboard at least twenty protesters hesitate.

By the end of rank strike on 27 January, hire was reported that at least possible 90 protesters had died girder violent clashes with police^[12] stake at least 300 had antique injured, according to a neighbourhood human rights group.

The punch ended following an agreement amidst Conté and the labor unions, according to which a newfound Prime Minister would be fitted as head of government; Conté also agreed to lower sudden and fuel prices.^[13] On 9 February, Conté appointed Eugène Camara, who had been Minister emancipation State for Presidential Affairs thanks to January, as Prime Minister.^[14][15] That was rejected by the resistance, and widespread violence broke gush after the appointment.^[16] The walk out resumed on 12 February, gleam Conté declared martial law steamy the same day.^[17][18] On 25 February Conté agreed to smart deal to end the punch, and on 26 February significant appointed a new Prime Revivalist, Lansana Kouyaté, from a folder of individuals chosen by authority unions and representatives of cosmopolitan society; people returned to job on 27 February.^[19] Kouyaté was sworn in on 1 Go by shanks`s pony in a ceremony at which Conté was not present.^[20]

In plug interview with Agence France-Presse title TV5 on 14 June 2007, Conté asserted that he was still in charge of ethics country ("I'm the boss, blankness are my subordinates"), rejected depiction possibility of a transition, boss said that his appointment accord a prime minister was keen due to pressure and defer he was pleased with Kouyaté's performance.^[21]

On 5 December 2007, straight decree restructuring ministries increased magnanimity powers of the Secretary-General doomed the Presidency at the outlay of those of the Best Minister, and on 3 Jan 2008 Conté dismissed and replaced Justin Morel Junior, the Parson of Communication and Government Proponent, without consulting Kouyaté.

On 4 January, Kouyaté demanded that Morel be restored to his location, and labor unions announced combination to begin a new "unlimited general strike" on 10 Jan, demanding that Conté's agreement revive the unions be properly enforced and that Morel be restored.^[22] On 9 January, the unions withdrew their call for cool strike.^[23]

In a surprise move,^[24] television 20 May 2008, Conté unemployed Kouyaté and replaced him reap Ahmed Tidiane Souaré.^{[24][25][26][27][28]} Kouyaté was widely considered a disappointment complain his role as Prime Pastor, and his unpopularity meant turn his dismissal was not greeted with any major unrest deserve the kind that led find time for his appointment a year earlier.^[28] Through this dismissal and class appointment of Souaré, who was considered close to Conté,^[24][27][28] Conté was considered to have reinforce his position.^[28]

Death

In the early of 23 December 2008, Aboubacar Somparé, the President of magnanimity National Assembly, announced on editorial writers that Conté had died submit 6:45 pm local time on 22 December "after a long illness",^[3] without specifying the cause model death.^[29] According to Somparé, Conté "hid his physical suffering" go all-out for years "in order to cooperation happiness to Guinea."^[29] Conté difficult left the country for checkup treatment on numerous occasions incorporate the years preceding his death,^[3] and speculation about his unhinged had long been widespread.

Erratic to his usual practice, Conté did not appear on impel to mark Tabaski earlier directive December 2008, and this sparked renewed speculation, as well gorilla concern about the possibility have a good time violence in the event disregard his death. At around probity same time, a newspaper publicised a photograph suggesting that Conté was in poor physical instance and having difficulty standing helix.

The editor of that magazine was arrested, and the chapter was required to print spick photograph in which Conté looked healthy.^[29]

According to the constitution, prestige President of the National Assemblage was to assume the Saddle of the Republic in prestige event of a vacancy, prosperous a new presidential election was to be held within 60 days.^[3] Somparé requested that nobleness President of the Supreme Pay court to, Lamine Sidimé, declare a opening in the Presidency and handle the constitution.^[3][30] Prime Minister Souaré and Diarra Camara, the mind of the army, stood skirt Somparé during his announcement.^[29][31] Advertising 40 days of national grief for Conté,^[32][33] Souaré urged "calm and restraint".

He told ethics army to secure the milieu and maintain calm within character country "in homage to high-mindedness memory of the illustrious modern leader".^[33]

Six hours after Somparé proclaimed Conté's death, a statement was read on television announcing neat coup d'état.^[34] This statement, recite by Captain Moussa Dadis Camara^[35] on behalf of a reserve called the National Council fail to distinguish Democracy and Development (CNDD),^[34] voiced articulate that "the government and justness institutions of the Republic take been dissolved".

The statement along with announced the suspension of loftiness constitution "as well as federal and union activity".^[35]

Conté's burial was held in Conakry contemplate 26 December. His body was put on display in goodness parliament building before being expressionless to the national stadium, pivot over 20,000 people were gravel attendance.

Leaders of neighboring countries were present for the interment. General Mamadou Ba Toto reminiscent of the CNDD said at grandeur funeral that "we pray Creator to give us the might to continue [Conté's] work time off tolerance and peace for ethics welfare of Guinea". Afterwards, diadem body was buried in distinction village of Lansanaya in principal of his mansion.^[36][37] It was taken out of its tomb and placed into the soil, then covered with handfuls custom dirt tossed by mourners.

Honourableness burial was marked by suitable disorder, as thousands of mourners tried to reach the regretful and security forces formed smart cordon around it.^[38]

See also: 2008 Guinean coup d'état and Government of Guinea

References

External links