La « communauté internationale » en Guinée-CONAKRY : des ambiguïtés à expliquer à ceux et à celles qui veulent comprendre.

Mamadou Billo SY SAVANE

LEGUEPARD.net

Article publié par le 27 avril 2013 à 9h2

La « communauté internationale » en Guinée-CONAKRY : des ambiguïtés à expliquer à ceux et à celles qui veulent comprendre.

De tous les pays Noirs Africains, les Guinéens sont les plus prompts à implorer la «communauté» dite internationale à la moindre petite difficulté politique normale intérieure. Ici on invoque BAN KI MOON. Là, on sollicite le représentant de l‘Union Européenne qui se prend pour le Gouverneur Général de la Guinée, parce que son organisation financerait ceci ou cela. Ailleurs, on se soumet obséquieusement aux injonctions injustifiées de l’Ambassadeur des U.S.A. dont on cherche en vain le caractère diplomatique de ses agissements militants pour M. Alpha CONDE. En quelque sorte, la préférence pour un homme pourvoyeur de concessions minières, et le rejet de populations pacifiques délestées de leur propre pays. Singulière diplomatie.

Jamais par le passé, notre PATRIE n’a été si humiliée, si traînée dans la boue, depuis la cooptation de M. Alpha CONDE à sa tête, par des réseaux extérieurs dont les Guinéens de base comprennent désormais qu’ils défendent des intérêts absolument contraires aux leurs.

La diplomatie de menace et d’intimidation des populations guinéennes par l’ambassadeur des U.S.A. à CONAKRY est une source possible de radicalisation de la jeunesse du pays.

Ce nouvel ambassadeur à CONAKRY, d’ailleurs très lié aux affairistes miniers Anglo-américains et Sud-Africains, ne cesse d’intriguer de simples citoyens guinéens. Car ses ingérences grossières dans les petits différends politiques intérieurs, sont très loin de la démarche diplomatique normale, mais très proches des intimidations de type bar bouzard.

Le militantisme RPGISTE outrancier du diplomate des U.S.A. à CONAKRY, ses agissements agressifs déraisonnables contre les adversaires politiques de M. Alpha CONDE, n’annoncent rien de bon pour mes compatriotes, ni maintenant, ni dans le futur proche et lointain.

Il va dans les camps militaires à KINDIA et ailleurs, comme si la Guinée était un simple Comté de l’Alabama, ou de l’Oregon. Il donne des leçons de «démocratie» aux Guinéens qui ne lui demandent rien. Je me suis laissé dire qu’il aurait ordonné à M. Alpha CONDE de fixer la date du 30 Juin pour les législatives. Or, il n’ignore pas que le KIT électoral WAYMARK-SABARI Technologie a déjà créé préventivement un stock de 750. 000 faux électeurs en Haute-Guinée, notamment à KANKAN, SIGUIRI, KOUROUSSA, KEROUANE (les bastions supposés de M. Alpha CONDE), et limité sévèrement les inscriptions au fichier électoral dans les régions réputées favorables à l’opposition (la Moyenne-Guinée, la Basse-Guinée et maintenant une bonne partie de la Guinée Forestière). Peut-être a t-il lui-même, ou ses amis Sud-Africains (Services Secrets de M. Jacob ZUMA qui peuplent le palais Sékoutouréya) contribué à créer ces faux électeurs ?

GUINEA, 7-11: Conde in Paris, In or Out – Detainees from Conde Home “Attack,” the CENI and the Francophonie, and New US Amb.

Conde in Paris

Paris was the last stop on Alpha Conde’s whirlwind tour which included Rio, Thailand and Malaysia. On Saturday, June 30, the Guinean opposition in France held a protest against Conde and his government policies. During the same weekend, Conde met with the Guinean community, largely consisting of his political supporters.

Having arrived in Paris without any commitment from the Elysee Palace to receive him, Conde finally succeeded in getting a meeting with French President Francois Hollande. The meeting, which took place on July 2, only came about through the direct intervention of Tony Blair and Bernard Kouchner. Hollande and Conde spoke for 45 minutes in a meeting characterized by the French government as “formal,” but not “official,” since Conde was not in France in an official capacity.  According to reports, Hollande told Conde to release the large number of detainees languishing in jails in Guinea. And, Conde got what came to France to get — a few pics with Hollande. Conde returned home on Thursday, July 5.

Last Year’s “Attack” on Conde’s Residence – Charges, then No Charges

On July 2, when it was scheduled to hand down indictments for the “attack” on Conde’s home, a Guinean court handed down a decision to exclude 14 detainees from prosecution, including the highest ranking military officer taken into custody, Gen. Nouhou Thiam. Yet, so far, none of these prisoners has been released, in spite of numerous efforts by their attorneys.

The authenticity of the “attack” at Conde’s house on July 19, 2011, is highly disputed. Most believe that Conde faked the attack so he could use it to round up his enemies and throw them in jail. Many of the military incarcerated, including Gen. Nouhou Thiam, were thought to be close associates of former interim president, Sekouba Konate. As for civilians, Conde accused the Vice-President of the UFDG opposition party, Bah Oury, of masterminding the attack. Bah Oury narrowly escaped being killed by military soldiers Conde sent to his house. He has been living in exile in France ever since.

The CENI-Election Soap Opera

During Alpha Conde’s visit to France, he announced that the International Organization of the Francophonie would make a second visit to Guinea to collaborate with Guinea’s electoral commission, the CENI, on future legislative elections. Quite naturally, the opposition is wary of any involvement by the Francophonie because the last time it got involved, during the 2010 election, a Malian ended up presiding over the election and the people of Guinea got stuck with the usurper, Alpha Conde, as their next president.

New US Ambassador Nominated for Guinea – from Erbil, Iraq to the Republic of Guinea

In late May, President Obama nominated Alexander Laskaris to be the next US ambassador to Guinea. Laskaris’ Senate confirmation hearing is scheduled for tomorrow. He is a career diplomat. The White House released the following bio:

Alexander M. Laskaris, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, is Consul General at the U.S. Consulate in Erbil, Iraq, a position he has held since June 2010. Previously, he was the Team Leader for the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Mosul, Iraq from 2008 to 2009. Prior to serving in Iraq, he was the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo (2006-2009) and Burundi (2003-2005). Previously, Mr. Laskaris was a member of the U.S. Secretary of State’s Policy Planning Staff (2001-2003) and Advisor to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations (1999-2001). Other overseas assignments have included Political Officer in Luanda, Angola; Political and Economic Officer in Gaborone, Botswana; and Vice Consul in Monrovia, Liberia. From 1996 to 1997, he served as Desk Officer for Rwanda and Burundi at the Department of State.

He received a B.S. from Georgetown University and an M.A. from the U.S. Army War College.

The Repressive Gov’t. of Alpha Conde Update: October 28, 2011

In days after Conde's stolen election, police repress Peuhls, such as this young man in Bambeto

-Etienne Soropogui, the only opposition party leader to be arrested in connection with the march on September 27, is still in jail as legal proceedings against him continue. Three other leaders of opposition political parties received summons from the Court in Dixinn to appear as witnesses to provide testimony about the events of September 27. They are Mouctar Diallo, Fode Oussou Fofana, and Faya Millimono and are to appear in court on Wednesday, November 2. Stay tuned . .

-On October 26, the US Ambassador, Patricia Moeller, paid Alpha Conde a visit to discuss President Obama’s recent reinstatement of preferred trade status with Guinea (AGOA). After the meeting, the Guinean government issued a press release. Below is an excerpt that shows Conde’s government is getting better and better at lying with a straight face.  And, if you have to tell people how good you are, doesn’t it mean it is not readily apparent?

“It is worth mentioning that the criteria for eligibility for AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act) are, among others, the practice of a market economy, respect for law and political pluralism, good governance, respect for human rights and those of workers, the fairness of the judiciary, the removal of barriers to trade and investment and the U.S. efforts against corruption. Guinea, Professor Alpha Condé meets all these criteria, proof if any were needed, that our country and is now firmly anchored in the path of democracy and the rule of law.

-Part of Guinea’s transition to a civilian government is reform of the military which includes reducing the overall number of soldiers. Conde’s government announced that he was going to retire some 4200 soldiers. Yet, numerous reports in the Guinean media reveal that Conde has recruited several thousand young men, who have been described as punks or criminals, and sent them to Burkina Faso and Angola for military training. It is not clear whether it is Conde’s intention to integrate the young men into the Guinean military, form a paramilitary group or some sort of “Donzo” battalion. Sources claim that during the September 27 protest, some of these “recruits,” infiltrated the march disguised as Donzos, and assaulted unarmed demonstrators.

-In the central market of Labe this past Tuesday, Guinean soldiers fired teargas before systematically looting the merchants stands taking many valuables and large amounts of money.  Rogue soldiers or state-sponsored harassment?

-Amid rumors that Alpha Conde might tour the Fouta region of Guinea, he sent PM Said Fofana and an entourage to Labe on October 28 to repair a “slap” Conde gave to “wise men” of the area when they visited him in Conakry October 9 at Sekoutoureya Palace. The purpose of the October 9 meeting was to seek advice from the “sages” on the issue of national reconciliation. During the October 9 meeting, Conde was not as politic and gracious as he could have been and told the sages it was time to “get over it” concerning the abuses of the past as he resisted calls by the sages to factor in justice for the aggrieved as a fundamental part of the reconciliation process. Both area and city officials were not informed of the visit ahead of time and had to learn about it “in the street.”

-Over the past several weeks, Guinea’s electoral commission, the CENI, under the watchful eye of Lounceny Camara, has undergone some changes. Camara fired a central member of the CENI, Pathe Dieng, under a trumped up accusation. Two members have resigned in protest. As the World of CENI turns. Stay tuned …

Wikileaks Guinea, May 2008: The US Ambassador, The Prime Minister, The President’s Son and a Drug “Bonfire”

After determining that the President’s son, Ousmane Conte, was not the only high roller in Guinea trafficking drugs and that the thread ran deep inside the Guinean government, the US ambassador sends a cable to Washington in which he describes a comical smoke and mirrors show put on by the government to “destroy” a seized shipment of drugs.  Below is the pertinent excerpt.  If interested in the full article from the New York Times, click here.

From the New York Times:  “Cables Portray Expanded Reach of Drug Agency,” December 26, 2010

(Sia Kambou/AFP-Getty; Jose Mendez/EPA; Ramin Talaie/EPA; Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Leaked cables reveal the Drug Enforcement Administration’s global reach, noting dealings with Lansana Kouyaté of Guinea, left, Ricardo Martinelli of Panama, center left, and Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone. Karen Tandy, right, the D.E.A.’s former administrator, discussed Afghan missions in the cables.

EXCERPT:

A May 2008 cable from Guinea described a kind of heart-to-heart conversation about the drug trade between the American ambassador, Phillip Carter III, and Guinea’s prime minister, Lansana Kouyaté. At one point, the cable said, Mr. Kouyaté “visibly slumped in his chair” and acknowledged that Guinea’s most powerful drug trafficker was Ousmane Conté, the son of Lansana Conté, then the president. (After the death of his father, Mr. Conté went to prison.)

A few days later, diplomats reported evidence that the corruption ran much deeper inside the Guinean government than the president’s son. In a colorfully written cable — with chapters titled “Excuses, Excuses, Excuses” and “Theatrical Production” — diplomats described attending what was billed as a drug bonfire that had been staged by the Guinean government to demonstrate its commitment to combating the drug trade.

Senior Guinean officials, including the country’s drug czar, the chief of police and the justice minister, watched as officers set fire to what the government claimed was about 350 pounds of marijuana and 860 pounds of cocaine, valued at $6.5 million.

In reality, American diplomats wrote, the whole incineration was a sham. Informants had previously told the embassy that Guinean authorities replaced the cocaine with manioc flour, proving, the diplomats wrote, “that narco-corruption has contaminated” the government of Guinea “at the highest levels.”

And it did not take the D.E.A.’s sophisticated intelligence techniques to figure out the truth. The cable reported that even the ambassador’s driver sniffed out a hoax.

“I know the smell of burning marijuana,” the driver said. “And I didn’t smell anything.”

GUINEA Update – October 9, 2010

Given the lack of credible information available  in the English media concerning the very serious issues in Guinea, we are providing you with an update based on information we have found from the French media, Guinean blogs, and our sources on the ground.  If we have more information before the night is over, we will update this page.  We will send out updates as warranted.

1.  The US and France, in statements made yesterday, insist that Guinea must proceed to the October 24 election without delay.

2.  Junta leader Sekouba Konate has chosen a watchdog to monitor over CENI’s preparations for the election.  The monitor is from BURKINA FASO and his name is GENERAL Ali Traore.  Lounceny Camara remains the president of the CENI and is due back in court  on October 21 to face fraud charges just three days before the election.

3.  Konate met with Western diplomats yesterday, including the Ambassador from the US.  The diplomats all urged that the election proceed on October 24 and warned against violence.  As has been customary, Konate got an undeserved pat on the back concerning his role in the “transition to democracy.”   In acuality, Konate has been the biggest obstacle to a free, fair, and prompt election in Guinea.  Of special note:  Tibou Camara, Konate’s new right-hand man, accompanied Konate to the diplomatic meeting as well.  Recently, Konate threatened to appoint a civilian president if there were any more problems in proceeding with the election — it is rumored that Tibou Camara might be that person.

4.  Konate met with the US Ambassador and the embassy’s military attache yesterday to observe the graduation of presidential guards who have been trained in a program suggested by Washington to develop an elite corps responsible for the protection of future presidents of Guinea.  

US Ambassador to Guinea Brings Konate a US Visa and an Invitation to Visit from Obama

U.S. Delivers Visa to Guinea’s Ex-junta No. 2

2010-08-27 15:11:58     Xinhua      Web Editor: Zheng Zhi

The United States has delivered visa to Guinea’s interim president Sekouba Konate, the ex-junta No. 2, in a sign of improved relations with the West African country where a presidential run-off is expected next month to end the crisis.

Mohamed Kasse, the director of the Guinean presidential press office, said the issue of visa was settled at a meeting on Wednesday between Konate and U. S. Ambassador to Guinea Patricia Moller.

Kasse said the entry visa was accompanied by an invitation from U.S. President Barak Obama.

Washington and the European Union put the Guinean military junta on a list of “persona non grata” following the coup on Dec. 23 2008. The sanctions were intensified after the junta ordered a crackdown on protesters in September 2009, in which 150 people were reportedly killed.

The junta, which came to power in a coup on Dec. 23 2008, signed an agreement in January with parties concerned in the crisis to begin a transition leading to polls to end the turmoil. The country opened the presidential elections on June 27, when no candidate claimed an outright majority. The second round is set for Sept. 19.

Interview: US Amb. to UN, Susan Rice, Says Action by Security Council Not Needed for Criminal Court to Investigate Guinea Massacre

 

“We are deeply, deeply disgusted and troubled by what occurred in Guinea,” Rice said. “Those civilians who risked their well being to testify and to give their stories to the commission deserve our gratitude and certainly the United States is very interested in working with the international community to implement many of the recommendations in the commissions’ report.”   

 –Susan Rice, US Ambassador to the UN

 

AP Interview: Court can probe Guinea massacre
By EDITH M. LEDERER
Associated Press
2009-12-23 10:38 AM  

The International Criminal Court can launch its own investigation into the mass killings and rapes of protesters in Guinea without any action by the U.N. Security Council, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said Tuesday.

Susan Rice said in an interview with The Associated Press and APTN that “it’s important to point out” that Guinea ratified the Rome Statute which established the world’s first permanent tribunal to prosecute cases of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The mineral-rich but impoverished west African nation is one of 110 countries that are now bound by the statute.

Under its provisions, the court’s prosecutor has the authority to seek information and determine whether to open an investigation into events in any country that is a party to the treaty. In cases where a country has not ratified the statute, the Security Council can refer a case to the court, as it did with the conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan.

A U.N. commission investigating the events in Guinea said in a new report that the killings and rapes committed there by pro-government forces on Sept. 28 and the following days may constitute crimes against humanity.

The report said 156 people were killed or disappeared, at least 109 women were raped or subjected to other forms of sexual violence including sexual mutilation and sexual slavery, and hundreds were tortured or subjected to other cruel and inhuman treatment.

The U.N. commission said there are reasonable grounds to suspect that junta leader Capt. Moussa “Dadis” Camara, the army officer who shot him in a dispute Dec. 3, and Guinea’s anti-drug chief bear “individual criminal responsibility” for the “widespread and systematic attack” on civilians on Sept. 28 and events in the following days.

Lt. Abubakar “Toumba” Diakite, who is in hiding, told a French radio station last week that he shot the junta leader because Camara wanted him to take the blame for the September massacre of pro-democracy demonstrators.

The commission recommended that the International Criminal Court investigate “the events in Guinea with respect to those allegedly individually criminally responsible for crimes against humanity.”

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sent the report to the Security Council and Rice said she thinks it will be discussed by the 15 council members.

“We’ll take account of our colleagues perspectives, but we are certainly interested in accountability and in return to democratic rule in Guinea and the protection of civilians,” she said.

“We are deeply, deeply disgusted and troubled by what occurred in Guinea,” Rice said. “Those civilians who risked their well being to testify and to give their stories to the commission deserve our gratitude and certainly the United States is very interested in working with the international community to implement many of the recommendations in the commissions’ report.”

The commission also recommended that the Security Council keep the issue on its agenda and that the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights establish an office in Guinea, the diplomat said.

It called for reform of Guinea’s army and judicial system, establishment of a Truth Commission in the country to look into the events of Sept. 28, reparations for victims, sanctions against the perpetrators, and information about the missing.