Guinea Still Struggling to Establish Democracy

Guinea's current president, Alpha Condé

We have recently been discussing in detail how and why African nations struggle in establishing and maintaining successful democracies. I selected this topic because in my opinion, the best way to reinforce these concepts is to look at real world examples. This example looks at the nation of Guinea who provides a great example of a nation that despite its best efforts, struggles with maintaining a stable democracy after independence.  Although Guinea’s current president, Alpha Condé seems quite optimistic, the prospects for a successful and most importantly stable democracy still seem quite bleak.

One reason for this pessimistic attitude toward Guinea’s success comes from its volatile political history. After Guinea gained independence from France in 1958, Ahmed Sekou Toure became Guinea’s first president, and “pursued a revolutionary socialist agenda and crushed political opposition” (BBC).  During his 26-year regime, it is estimated that tens of thousands of people disappeared or were tortured and executed. Lansana Conte, who took office in 1984, later passed a referendum extending the term from five to seven years, allowing him to essentially stay in power for as long as he wanted. Throughout Conte’s reign, we can see aspects of neopatrimonialism, especially in Conte’s constant desire and need to eliminate any sort of competition or possible uprising. For example, he questionably sentenced the leader of his opposing party to five years in prison. Although there were a few attempts to elect a president, success wasn’t achieved until November 2010 when Alpha Condé was declared the winner of the nation’s first democratic elections.

Many of the prerequisites for a successful democracy as discussed in class, such as having a middle class, urbanization, and improved living standards, are all still missing in Guinea. According to the Guardian article, more than half of Guinea’s population still lives in poverty, with 70% of the population still illiterate (Smith). Guinea also ranks at the bottom of the totem pole when it comes to global corruption, development, and governance indices (Smith). According the African Leadership Index, Alpha Condé received a letter grade of “F” or fail, and Guinea’s Corruption Index score ranks 164 out of 183.  

Despite his optimism, Condé himself remains part of the problem. Falling into the same trap as his unsuccessful predecessors, Condé has stayed in power longer than the allotted time and has also had clashed between citizens or protesters and government officials resulting in numerous deaths. As discussed in class, two of the core aspects of neopatrimonialism are weak state institutions and a centralization of, both evident in Guinea. The World Bank’s country director, Ousmane Diagana, said that Guinea needs “governance based on stronger political institutions” (Smith). It also worries Diagana that Guinea’s president is not conversing with his opposition in order to better the nation politically and economically.

Based on our discussions in class and what I have read both about Guinea’s history and this current article, the chances of Guinea maintaining this so called “democracy” are slim to none. Living conditions and political institutions need to be drastically improved, along with a decentralization of power. Lastly, both Condé and future leaders need to eliminate all aspects of neopatrimonialism from their rule. Sadly, I don’t think we have seen the end of the violent and bloody protests of Guinea’s past. Both the citizens and military are unhappy with the current conditions.  

What do others think Guinea’s future has in store? What are the best solutions to Guinea’s problems with maintaining a stable democracy? 

Sources:

Article: Guinea's president promises to turn country into stable democracy

History Information and Image: BBC News Africa:Guinea Profile

Statistics: The EastAfrican Magazine: African Leadership Index February 6-12, 2012 XV