Guinea Police Shoot Dead Teen Protester-Age 15 and Wound at Least Two

It appears that Alpha Conde’s standing shoot-to-kill order given to his security forces worked in at least one instance, today.  A relative said the cop drew his gun, aimed, and then shot Abdoul Aziz Balde in the buttocks which suggests there is a 95% chance the cop was shooting him from behind.

 

Guinea’s first post-election martyr.  May he rest in peace.

 

 

Guinea Police Shoot Dead Teen Protester-Age 15, Wound at Least Two

Conakry (AFP) – Police in Guinea shot dead a teenager during a violent protest over an alleged attempt to kidnap a radio journalist on Sunday, his family said.

Abdoul Aziz Balde, 15, was “mortally wounded by a bullet fired by a police officer” as security forces and protesters clashed in the capital Conakry, a family member said.

“The policeman aimed at him before shooting him with live ammunition and a bullet hit him in his behind,” the relative said on condition of anonymity, adding that Balde began to bleed profusely and was declared dead after being rushed to hospital in a coma.

The demonstration erupted after private broadcaster Planet FM reported that armed men had come to the radio station looking to kidnap director and journalist Mandian Sidibe, witnesses said.

A mob of listeners then launched a search for the armed men, which turned into a protest as demonstrators put up barricades in several neighbourhoods of Conakry.

Police tried to disperse protesters with tear gas but the crowd responded by throwing stones and other projectiles that wounded three policeman.

Police then fired live ammunition, hitting at least two protesters, who were admitted to a clinic in southern Conakry with gunshot wounds, according to a doctor.

Other medical and security sources said at least 11 people were wounded in total, five by live ammunition.

A journalist at Planet FM confirmed that armed men had visited the station looking for Sidibe.

“Armed men in plain clothes arrived at the station and asked to meet the director and journalist Mandian Sidibe,” the source told AFP on condition of anonymity, saying the men had come to kidnap Sidibe but were not allowed access to him.

Protests are common and often violent in Conakry, which remains tense following a Supreme Court decision on Friday to hand the west African nation’s widely contested September election to the ruling party.

Guinea’s Supreme Court to Announce Legislative Election Results Either Later This Evening or Sometime Overnight- Security Forces on High Alert

A primary function of Guinean security forces is to conduct mass arrests of opposition supporters leaving them to linger in jail without charge.  

Opposition Leader Diallo: “They Said They Would Reduce My House to Dust”

Cellou Dalein Diallo Remarks at Saturday, July 22, 2013 Meeting

of the UFDG:  “We are not going to sit down and hold discussions

with criminals (Conde et al., ed. note)

(Article translated into English via Google with editing by Guinea Oye)

At Saturday’s regular meeting of his UFDG party, Diallo said he was determined to continue the fight started for the

advent of a society of justice, peace and democracy in Guinea.  He also praised those who fought bravely to prevent

the police and young thugs who promised to reduce his house to dust, he said. “You saved my life,” he added.

Following, Diallo says his supporters have shown that they are upright and ready to defend their leader because,

he says, since these incidents, young volunteers sleep at his door, all night, all day. “They have not been paid.

They expose themselves to protect the president of the UFDG.”

“What is more shocking is the distortion of the facts. People came out to support me.  Along the way to the

courthouse, there were no incidents. We arrived at court and, after meeting with the prosecutor, we headed

back home. Along the way, the police came to disperse the activists with tear gas, they attacked us with hatred

and violence.”   In that moment, he said he descended from his car to ask the police to stop the violence against

citizens who had gone to attend a public hearing in court because no law forbids it. “The police started throwing tear

gas in front of me. Against this background, we arrived at the house. Afterwards, young thugs and police were

deployed to the sea to attack my home. They hurt a lot of young people. They said they would reduce my house

to dust and the youth resisted.” For Diallo, their struggle with against RPG militants is only beginning with Alpha

Conde. In his eyes, no policeman dares to attack his home without the tacit support of Alpha Condé. “For Alpha

Condé, my activists are not citizens of Guinea. While several of our members have been killed, Alpha Conde has

not lifted a finger to move them. Had he assumed his responsibilities, we would not have fifty supporters dead.

For Diallo, the solution is to get up to say” no.”

“What does Alpha Condé believe? He must know that Guinea belongs to all of us. There will be sacrifices, but the

truth will prevail. The truth is on our side. We are all Guineans and Alpha Condé should understand we will not

accept this. Remain upright.  We demand respect for our dignity. “

“You must understand that, if we do not fight, we have nothing with Alpha Condé. They are criminals  and we

have the right to live in Guinea.  If we continue the fight, God will soon… solve our problem. We need to join hands.

We have national and international solidarity. We have decided to suspend our participation in the dialogue. We wil

not sit down with criminals to discuss. All victims of violence should be compensated. “

Opposition Communique Following the Bloody Attack on Politicians and Supporters at Home of Cellou Dalein Diallo

Created Saturday, June 22, 2013 10:39 p.m.

Opposition Communique Following the Bloody Attack on Politicians and Supporters at Home of Cellou Dalein Diallo

While the ADP, the Collective, the CDR and the FDP in respect of commitments to maintaining a climate of peace continue to work to consolidate the achievements of the Inter- Guinea during the security forces still trodden ground the Government’s commitment to end the harassment and differential treatment experienced by opposition leaders.Indeed, Elhadj Cellou Dalein Diallo, President of the UFDG in its commitment to the institutions of the Republic replied to the notice that was sent by the judicial authorities, following a complaint by a senior official of the State.

In solidarity, leaders, activists and opposition supporters accompanied him in order and discipline at the public hearing of the Court of First Instance of Conakry where 2 Elhadj Cellou Dalein Diallo has asserted his rights. On the way back, the police have attacked the peaceful demonstration by spraying tear gas and chasing him to the president of the UFDG home.

Hooligans landed by chartered vehicles for this purpose and supported by the police then surrounded his home by shooting live bullets and by projecting a shower of tear gas and stones.

This seriously undermines the inalienable right of every citizen to have an inviolable home and persecution suffered by political leaders and activists at home Elhadj Cellou Dalein Diallo recorded a record 50 wounded, including two by gunfire in a still critical condition.

ADP, the Collective, CDR and FDP deplore and strongly condemn these acts of violence and express their deep sympathy and full solidarity with the El Hadj Diallo, his family, UFDG and all the victims of these acts of provocation and barbarism of another age.

As a result, the Republican opposition decided to suspend its participation in the inter-Guinean dialogue until normal conditions are ensured security for political leaders and all kinds of obstacles to the free exercise of their activities are effectively removed. It calls upon the continuation of sponsors and perpetrators of violence in order to be put an end to the impunity that has characterized the treatment of abuses by security forces in recent years become recurring term.

ADP, the Collective, CDR and FDP thank the Ambassadors of USA and France as well as the Representative of the European Union and the wider international community for their total support during these sad events .

The Republican opposition calls on all its members and supporters to be vigilant and remain mobilized to preserve the gains made through the long struggle of the people of Guinea for the rise in our country, an era of genuine democracy and respect for human rights.

Conakry, June 21, 2013.

---

The Alliance for Democracy and Progress (ADP)
The Collective of Political Parties for the Completion of the Transition
Club The Republicans (CDR)
The Union Front for Democracy and Progress (PDF)

Guinea: Journalist Hospitalized After Assault by Police Officers

Conde is running out of people to order his security forces to assault — politicians, journalists, opposition youth, and men, women and children who live in predominantly Peul neighborhoods.  Still no public condemnation of the attack on Cellou Daillo’s home by international community members, US ambassador Alex Laskaris, French Ambassador Bertrand Cochery and EU representative Philippe Van Damme, who toured Diallo’s house on the day of the attack by security forces and RPG thugs.  And, when these diplomats decide to break their silence, let’s hope they can demonstrate more respect for the people of Guinea by not grousing about opposition youth with rocks and by not giving that condescending “calm down” hand signal they gave at Cellou’s to people who have been to hell and back.

Guinea:  Journalist Hospitalized After Assault by Police Officers

Press Release

Mamadou Sire Diallo, a reporter with the privately-owned satirical newspaper, Le Lynx, was badly beaten on June 19, 2013, by a group of policemen at the capital, Conakry. Diallo met his ordeal when he was covering a confrontation between some political party supporters in Conakry.

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)’s monitor in the country reported that Diallo has been admitted at a hospital with injuries to his head and temples while his reporting equipment was confiscated by the officers.

Narrating the incident to MFWA’s monitor, Diallo said when the police officers saw him they shouted that he is a spy and pounced on him. One officer slapped him and another rained blows on him. They tore his clothes and seized his dictaphone and camera.

“I told them that I was a journalist. I showed them my press card. But they rained blows on me and dragged me into the mud,” Diallo said.

The MFWA condemns this act of lawlessness by the police officers and call on the media association and groups including the management of Le Lynx to lodge a complaint against the police officers.

We specifically, call on Madifing Diane, the Head of the Guinea Police Force, to as a matter of urgency subject his officers to professional training, especially in media relations in the build up to the country’s legislative elections in July this year.

We make this call at a time that state-perpetrated attacks against the media are on the increase. Within this year alone dozens of journalists and media organizations have been assaulted by security forces and not even one of such cases has been investigated or prosecuted.

For instance, within a period of two months (March – April) uniformed police officers besieged the premises of the Conakry-based Planete FM and fired shots at the radio station. Yet these officers have not been arrested and dealt with.

(VIDEOS): Let’s Get Straight About Who the Aggressors in Guinea Are

Unfortunately, the Guinean opposition must spend an inordinate amount of time correcting the numerous lies and propaganda scenarios put forth by the government about the nature of violence in Guinea.  Three videos follow.

 

VIDEOS

 

 

VIDEO #1

 

As Cellou Diallo and his motorcade returned from a court hearing on Wednesday morning, state security forces intimidated those in the motorcade with a heavy presence of officers.  Close to Diallo’s home, two minibuses arrived, filled with Conde’s RPG thugs.  As Diallo and those in his motorcade rushed towards the house, they realized it was surrounded already with RPG thugs throwing stones.  For the next two hours both the police and the RPG thugs hurled rocks and tear gas at Diallo’s house. Many people, as you will see, were seriously injured and overcome with tear gas.  The police prevented ambulances from arriving to pick up seriously injured opposition supporters, many of whom were STABBED in the head by RPG thugs,

 

It’s not certain whether rock throwing is a new skill requirement of the police but, as you will see in this video, they are damned good at it. 

 

The Agressors:  Cops and RPG thugs throwing rocks at Diallo’s home

 

 

 

VIDEO #2

 

Below is an interview with Dr. Fode Oussou Fofana (in French) who provides the political context behind the attack on the home of Cellou Dalein Diallo and the defamation lawsuit Malick Sankhon filed against him.  A while ago, Diallo and other members of the opposition accused Sankhon and others, including Sekou “Resco” Camara, Governor of Conakry, of paying RPG thugs to attack merchants and opposition supporters, primarily in Peul neighborhoods, resulting in serious injury and death.  Sankhon slapped a lawsuit on Diallo, but was nowhere to be found for the court hearing on Wednesday morning. The opposition believes it was Sankhon who set up the attack at Diallo’s home on Wednesday.  Dr. Fofana breaks it down for you.

 

The Politics Behind the State-Sponsored Aggression and Violence Against Diallo, supporters, and other opposition.

 

 

 

 

VIDEO #3

If these are the aggressors of which the government speaks, may they fill the streets of Conakry.  According to Diallo, several of the women who accompanied him to court were arrested by police on the way back because they were not able to run away quickly enough. 

 

Supporters of Cellou Dalein Diallo Accompany Him to Court

Guinea Opposition Withdraws from Dialogue Talks, UFDG Issues Detailed Statement About How Attack Happened Condemning Gov’t.’s Propaganda Machine to Shift Blame

The Opposition Officially Withdraws from the Dialogue

Posted on June 20, 2013

Wednesday’s violence that followed the appearance of Diallo in court has political consequences. The coalition of opposition in the collective, ADP, CDR and FDP, after a meeting on Thursday, decided to withdraw from the negotiating table.

Political opponents of the regime of President Alpha Conde condemned the “police repression” against Elhadj Diallo before expressing their solidarity with the boss of the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG). The meeting was held at the headquarters of the UFDG. Apart from Lansana Kouyaté and Kassory Fofana, all political opposition leaders were present at the conclave. We will return.

Alpha Oumar Diallo et Mamadou Aliou Barry pour Aminata.com

 

 

 

 

Statement by UFDG National Directorate Regarding Attack on Home of President Cellou Diallo

 

The National Directorate of UFDG followed with surprise, different press releases issued by the Government and other public services, including the Press Office of the Presidency of the Republic and the General Directorate of the Police Service, reporting on violence following the passage of the President UFDG to the Court of First Instance (CFI) in Dixinn. These releases, as usual, assign responsibility for attacking citizens walking along the route and vandalizing shops and to activists of the UFDG who were the ones who were attacked.

 

The National Directorate of UFDG categorically denies these unfounded allegations. Allow us, rather, to present the facts as they occurred. President of the UFDG, Elhadj Diallo decided to respond to the subpoena that TPI Dixinn had sent him last April. Around 9:30 am, the President of the UFDG, with some opposition leaders, activists and supporters of the UFDG, left his home in order to arrive at TPI Dixinn at 10:15 am. The prosecutor’s office where he was received, along with other opposition leaders and in the presence of counsel, the counsel for the complainant informed Diallo that his client, the complainant, was willing to withdraw its complaint for a criminal mediation. The leader of the UFDG said he was not prepared to enter into any negotiations with the complainant, but if he decided to withdraw his complaint, he would act. The prosecutor said that he took note and he informed Elhadj Diallo that he will agree with the complainant. At this point, the leader of UFDG went back to his home, accompanied by his supporters.

 

When Diallo’s entourage arrived at the Donka school, they were joined by two pick-up trucks of police who tried to disperse the procession with tear gas and stones. Some young marchers reciprocated and the police were left on the side of the road. Thus, the procession continued he slowly to the point of the Total petrol station in the former Oasis club where Diallo’s entourage was again intercepted by a group of more numerous and violent police. They sprang into action against the procession with tear gas and throwing stones while making arrests of activists, especially women who could not run. At one point, the police were directly behind the car of the President of the UFDG who got out and asked the police to stop the violence against his supporters who were not protesters, but citizens returning from an open court session.

 

The police did not want to listen and instead kept throwing tear gas and stones and fired into the air. It is in these conditions qu’Elhadj Cellou Dalein and what remained of his retinue headed towards his home.  A few minutes later to the surprise of all, tear gas bombs and stones began to rain within the property of Diallo’s home. According to witnesses who were standing outside, police received support from three minibuses full of hooligans.  For two hours, the home of Cellou Dalein was subjected to this shower of stones and tear gas which was thrown on both sides of the street towards the sea  The results of the violence in the home of the President of the UFDG was 17 serious injuries including one person with a gunshot and at least 20 heavily damaged cars.

 

To this, another 33 people were wounded, primairly in neighborhoods of Ratoma,, two by bullets (now in a coma) outside the home Elhadj Diallo (Diallo stated yesterday that ambulances were not allowed to leave the area of his home to take the more serious victims to hospital because security forces had blocked roads, Ed., Guinea Oye).  All that happened took place in front of many journalists from the national and international press and in the presence of leaders of the Republican opposition. Clearly these are the security forces supported subsequently by hooligans who call themselves Knights of the Republic, who are solely responsible for the attacks against the President of the UFDG and the activists during the day of Wednesday, June 19, 2013. National Party leadership will draw all the consequences.

 

Conakry , June 19, 2013 The National Directorate of UFDG

(VIDEO-FR): Cellou Diallo Takes the US and French Ambassadors, the European Union Rep. and the Guinean Prime Minister on Tour of Damage Caused by Security Forces and RPG Thugs in Yesterday’s Attack

In the video (further below), Cellou Diallo leads a delegation of diplomats and Prime Minister Fofana on a tour of his property showing extensive damage from yesterday’s attack, including major destruction of several cars.  Note that Fofana, the first to arrive of the delegation, is shown the injuries received by opposition supporters during the attack.  Fofana is repulsed by what he sees and, rather than offering sympathy to those injured, he tells Diallo to hurry along to something else.  As the top-ranking member of Conde’s government, he should be used to many bad things, especially the bloody wounds of youth injured by state security.

 

Then, the “international community” enters the picture.  You will see Philippe Van Damme, the EU representative, Alex Laskaris, the US ambassador, and the French ambassador, Bertrand Cochery – see pics.

Cochery

Laskaris

Recall that Van Damme’s supportive statement abut the Waymark contract got him into trouble with the Guinean opposition many months ago resulting in protesters gathering in front of EU offices in Conakry with placards telling him to go back home to Belgium.  Of late, Van Damme has gone on the airwaves in Guinea doing Alpha Conde’s bidding in the propaganda wars about violence in Guinea suggesting that opposition kids and their rocks will bring down civilization as we know it.  Mr. Laskaris, while initially welcomed by Guineans as one who could figure prominently in bringing peace to Guinea, appears to be in the Van Damme camp now blaming kids with rocks instead of the thousands of security forces, militias and other irregular forces who, under the orders of Alpha Conde, are committing ethnic cleansing of Peuls.  As for the French ambassador, it seems his approach is more behind the scenes.  Suffice it to say, all three want Guinea CALM so that the election can be held and Guinea’s “transition” will be complete.  Note at the end of the video, Laskaris and Cochery are talking with Mme. Diallo.  Don’t know whether they are too hot dressed in coat and tie or worried that, if they stay longer, the kids will throw rocks at them, or both, but a quick exit appears to be the cure.  Laskaris’ “calm down” gesture to the crowd as he departs, would do more good if given to Conde and his security forces.

 

The video follows:

 

   

(VIDEOS-FR) – Conde’s Security Forces and RPG Thugs Tear Gas Home of Opposition Leader, Cellou Diallo: Several Injured, Some by Live Fire and UFDG Party Pulls Out of Dialogue Talks

Alpha Conde engineered a political trial against Cellou Diallo in which he is charged with defamation of one of Conde’s cronies, Malick Sankhon. Today was Dailo’s second appearance before the court in this matter and many of his fellow party leaders and supporters showed up to support him.  Trouble began when security forces prevented opposition supporters from entering the courtroom and numerous RPG party thugs were there to further disrupt the crowd.  Scuffles and rock throwing ensued.  As Diallo’s entourage headed back to his home after the court session, they were hit with tear gas and when he arrived home his house was tear-gassed by police and RPG thugs. Other state forces and RPG busied themselves with damaging vehicles and stealing from the home.

The UFDG website is reporting that 15 people are wounded, three of them were shot with live fire and are in serious condition.  There have been arrests as well.  Guinean websites are reporting that after today’s attack on his home, Diallo, has met with the political leadership of his UFDG party and a unanimous decision was made to withdraw from dialogue talks.  No word as to what other opposition parties might do.

This is not the first time Diallo’s house has been tear-gassed by security forces.  Last August, prior to an opposition march, security forces entered Diallo’s home and  let off dozens of tear gas canisters.  Many people in and around the house were overcome by the gas.  Later in this opposition march, Cellou Diallo, Lansana Kouyate, and Sidya Toure (former prime ministers and current presidents of the primary opposition parties) were the victim of an assassination attempt by Conde’s forces as the car they were riding in was hit by live fire and a grenade.

Sadly, today’s events reflect just another day in the lawless land of Alpha Conde where political opponents are treated like enemies of the state.

Several articles below, translated into English by Google.  Various videos of the day’s events follow.  

Stay tuned . . .

 

 

Youths Armed with Knives and Stones Reinforced by Police Surrounded the Home of Diallo,Throwing Stones at Passers-By as Well

 

The court of first instance Dixin, where the leader of the Guinean opposition, Diallo was convened this morning in the defamation suit  filed by Sankhon Malick, director of social security, the crowd of activists accompanied Diallo, has clashed with security forces who refused them entry into the courtroom. Diallo was also accompanied by some leaders, including the NFD Diallo, Charles Pascal Tolno PPG, and Jean Marc Telliano, president of RDIG and Jean Marie Dore, President of UGG and former prime minister under the Transition General Konate.

 

At the end of the court, the tension rose between the two parties turned into a confrontation, the police fired tear gas into the crowd, young people responded by throwing stones.

 

Upon arrival at home Diallo, his car was surrounded by police, and other young people who participated in the arrests of its activists, he came down, and instantly, the forces of the would order the strikes blows, causing a return of militants dispersed. Cellou Dalein could finally reach his home.

According Maladho Diallo UFDG, the ambulance came retrieve the wounded was attacked by youths who accompany police.

When we post such information, armed with knives and stones youth, reinforced by the presence of police surrounded the home Diallo, throwing stones and attacking passers-by to some facies. Attorney Dixin, arrived at Diallo, promising to free the young injured and arrested, for those who surround her home no word yet.

GUINEEINFORMATION

Wounded by live ammunition, according to a member of the UFDG

Posted on June 19, 2013

Fighting continues in the same time in the neighborhoods of Hamdallaye Bambeto-axis. Elements of the security forces clash with tear gas youths armed with stone militants.

Reached by phone Aminata.com, Ousmane Diallo, Executive Office UFDG, says that the party already has several wounded, some by live ammunition. “There are twenty people who are affected either by bullets or by knives and bullets.” said the young assets UFDG.

For him, nothing justifies the violence of the police following the convening of Diallo in court. ” We had left the court, we went to the President of the UFDG home, the traffic was not disturbed except for a few jams. So there was no mess that can justify the throw tear gas. There have been people who have surrounded the home Elhadj Diallo to throw stones in the courtyard. This is are the same practices that the government uses to tribaliser the repression of our members , “says Ousmane Diallo.

According to our information, the ambassador of the United States Conakry visited private home Diallo to inquire about the realities. “Ambassadors came, the prosecutor, lawyers came to see the damage”, says our source. The latest news, traffic is completely disrupted the Hamdallaye-Bambeto where youth and police clash axis. We will return

 

 

From www.guinee58.com

 

The home Diallo is besieged since this morning by the police. All cars were destroyed on site. The house was vandalized, objects were looted and taken away. Many of the wounded are counted. Injured they can not evacuate to hospitals to receive health care as police blocked all access to input and output.

Dalein life is endangered. Diplomatic sources say that Alpha Conde has not withstood the pressure that world leaders have put him at the G8 summit. Asked clearly meet the Ouagadougou agreements which stipulate the sharing of power. The G8 Speakers also ordered him to stop the persecution of opposition activists.

VIDEOS

Le procureur de Dixinn chez l’opposant Cellou Dalein Diallo

(The public prosecutor of Dixinn at Diallo’s home receiving  details about the attacks)

Après du procureur, les échauffourées se poursuivent

(After the public prosecutor leaves, trouble begins to heat up again – tear gas)

Le procureur de Dixinn et les opposants chez Cellou Dalein

(The public prosecutor of Dixinn speaking with opposition supporters at Diallo’s home)

La police, les militants de l’opposition et de la mouvance

(Police, opposition supporters and members of the presidential movement)

 

A Tragi-Comedy: The Guinea Opposition and Government Resume Dialog Talks on Monday

Said Djinnit, the international facilitator of the Government dialog, which the opposition occasionally feels obliged to attend, has drawn up rules of engagement for the next meeting scheduled for Monday, June3, which sound more like the instructions a referee might give boxers before a 15-round bout.  What a tragi-comedy.  The government representatives will try not to mix up the lies they told at the last dialog meeting with the ones they will tell on Monday.  The opposition will tell the government to quit being lawless jerks, to postpone the election long enough for a coup against Conde, to send Waymak back to Jacob Zuma, to release all opposition supporters and stop trying out new torture techniques on them,  and to issue the security forces nothing more than toothpicks, and not the pointy kind, as weapons. Okay, okay, this is Guinea Oye’s list.   As for Said Djinnit, he will try to keep a straight face every time the government reps. open their mouths and to feign optimism every time the opposition does the same.

 

Yet, Djinnit might also try to even up the praise he laid on Conde and the opposition in the opening paragraph of his rules of engagement statement.  Here is what he said:

 

“I am glad that calm has returned to Conakry after public protests that led to serious violence and, unfortunately, the loss of many human lives. I also welcome the statements along the lines of appeasement made ​​by various political actors these days. In particular, I welcome the statement by the President of the Republic of 29 May 2013 in which he called on all citizens to dedicate the day of Friday, May 31, 2013 in prayer and meditation for peace, cohesion social and national unity. I applaud his decision to keep his door always open to discuss the future of the country and respect the spirit of true dialogue. I am also pleased with the decision by the opposition leaders to suspend public events to enable pupils and students to prepare and participate in examinations in conditions of peace and serenity. I welcome the provision asserted by the parties to discuss.” 

 

What??  Calm will not return to Guinea until Alpha Conde leaves.  Djinnit praises Conde for saying conciliatory-sounding things which seems useless because Conde is a pathological liar.  But, what Djinnit said about the opposition is odd.  He praises the opposition for getting off the streets so kids can study in conditions of peace and serenity.  Isn’t there an inference here that the presence of the opposition in the streets provokes cops to do evil things like extra-judicial executions?  And, it is precisely the extra-judical killings of kids by state-sponsored forces, which scares the beejeebers out of diplomats and investors alike.

Djinnit’s assessment that calm has returned to Conakry is not warranted.  The country is sitting on a powder keg.  The more Djinnit tries to paint a rosy picture, the more resentment builds within the opposition and especially among the youth.  The young people know the situation is dire and do not want a diplomat to suggest it isn’t.  They understand that the international community is trying to shove another fraudulent election down their throats and, after exams, the international community will come to understand that the election is a non-issue, because the war has already started.