The French declared Guinea a colony in 1891, but did not gain full control of the territory until defeating the warlord and leader Almamy Samory Touré in 1898, setting a precedent for defiance and isolationism that continues today.

Touré was a strong union leader and became secretary-general of the Democratic Party of Guinea in 1952. He became president in 1958, when France offered independence. Through a plebiscite, Guineans rejected an offer for a paternalistic partnership with France and as a consequence, the French completely withdrew from the country, taking all technical expertise, key government files, and even office telephones. Guinea was the only West African country that did not join the proposed French Community.

All ties with France were severed in 1965, when Touré accused the French of plotting to oust him. Guinea became a closed socialist state, with a nationalised economy and increasing isolation from the international and African communities. Touré ran a one-party regime for 26 years, surviving several coup attempts and instituting increasingly repressive measures against his opponents.

He died in 1984 and a week later, the army, led by Colonel Lansana Conté, took over in a peaceful coup. Conté became president and minister of defence. The new regime promised to liberalise the economy and a new constitution was adopted in 1990 paving the way for multi-party elections in 1993.

Conté won the elections and all subsequent ones. In 1999, he began to fill the government with ministers from his own ethnic group, the Susu, creating a downturn in the economy and corruption.

Further strains were placed on the country when hundreds of thousands of refugees entered the country from Sierra Leone and Liberia due to conflicts. Incursions from rebels in both countries in 2000 also displaced thousands of Guineans.

Most refugees have returned to their respective countries, but Guinea’s downturn continues. There have been several unsuccessful coup attempts and the country’s powerful unions have organised nationwide strikes in protest at deteriorating living conditions. The  recent strikes in June 2006 and January 2007 turned violent, leaving many dead and thousands injured.

Peace and security

Guinea experienced its third national strike in a year in protest at the skyrocketing cost of living, stagnating salaries and government inefficiency. All three strikes, in April 2006, June 2006 and January 2007, were organised by the National Confederation of Guinean Workers (CNTG) and the Guinean Workers Union (USTG), mobilising civil society groups as well.

The strike in January was the most violent yet, with reports of state forces firing on protesters. Official numbers put the death toll at 51 people but according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), some sources place the figure as high as 100.

Analysts believe violence in Guinea could destabilise the already fragile Mano River region, which includes Sierra Leone and Liberia, both recovering from civil war, and Côte d’Ivoire, which is in crisis.

The Forest region in the south is particularly volatile. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), many regional militias, including Guinean rebels, members of former Liberian militias and soldiers from Côte d'Ivoire, have been hiding in the region. The EIU also reported that security forces showed little interest in maintaining law and order in the region and crime and banditry have flourished.

Increasing numbers of civilians are taking the law into their own hands and there have been reports of small militias forming and incidents of retaliatory violence.

Refugees

In the mid-1990s, Guinea had more than half a million refugees living along its borders due to conflicts in Sierra Leone and Liberia.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) began repatriation in 2004 once conflicts ended in Sierra Leone and Liberia. The UNHCR reports that as of January 2007, 31,000 refugees remain in the country. About 22,000 are from Liberia and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) reports there are 5,000 from Sierra Leone and 4,000 from Côte d’Ivoire.

UNHCR also estimates that there are 9,000 refugees in the capital, Conakry.

Due to the drop in the number of refugees in Guinea, in 2006 the UNHCR closed its Kissidougou office in the south after 18 years. It moved remaining refugees to the Kouankan I camp in the Nzerekore region. There are three other refugee camps in the Nzerekore region, including Kola, Laine and Kouankan II.

UNHCR plans in 2007 to help with the integration of 2,000 Sierra Leoneans who have chosen to stay in Guinea and to continue assisting Ivorian refugees.

As of November 2006, the UNHCR registered 19,000 internally displaced peoples in the country.

Democracy and governance

According to USAID, which runs a democracy and governance programme in the country, although a multi-party system has been put in place in Guinea, the fact that the government party dominates the political arena means a dictatorial legacy persists.

In 2001, Conté amended the constitution to extend the presidential term from five to seven years, allowing him to be elected to a longer term in 2003. The elections were considered flawed by the international community and opposition parties, causing some international organisations to pull out of the country.

The political situation continues to be unstable. Opposition members are regularly detained and imprisoned, and internal conflicts within the government have led to the reshuffle of ministers on several occasions.

Alpha Conde, leader of the Guinean’s People Rally, was sentenced to five years in prison in September 2000, but was released a year later under international pressure. He returned from exile in France in 2005.

Opposition leader Jean-Marie Dore was detained in 2003 for saying the president was too ill to run for office.

In 2004, then Prime Minister François Fall suddenly resigned while on a trip to France, saying the president had blocked all his attempts at economic and political reforms. His successor, Cellou Dalein Diallo, who attempted to implement democratic reforms, was sacked in 2006. The post remains vacant, although after a national strike in January 2007, Conté promised to appoint a new prime minister.

The political instability in the country is dimmed by Conté’s failing health. According to the EIU, there is growing uncertainty over events that could follow if he is not able to govern. It reports that there are three main actors running the country: Fode Bangoura, secretary-general to the presidency, General Kerfalla Camara, chief of general staff, and Mamadou Sylla, director of the Futurelec company.

To encourage foreign aid, the government has approved certain democratic changes. It granted three private radio licences, put in place an autonomous national electoral commission, organised local elections, and started talks with opposition parties in anticipation of legislative elections in 2007.

Despite growing discontent with Conté’s regime among the population, reflected in violent strikes, he is determined to remain in power, bolstered by the continued loyalty of the military.

Media

The media in Guinea is highly restricted, despite stipulations in the 1990 constitution guaranteeing press freedom and editorial independence for state-owned media.

According to Reporters Without Borders, despite these repressive measures and the harassment and abuse of journalists, media critical of the government has managed to survive. Most newspapers struggle to publish regularly due to high printing costs.

Radio is the most popular form of media, and is broadcast in French and local languages.

Authorities in Guinea recently authorised three private radio stations after pressure from international donors to expand press freedom. Two of the stations began broadcasting in 2006, ending a 48-year state broadcasting monopoly. Guinea was the last country in West Africa to permit private, independent broadcasting.

Guinean authorities also granted FM frequencies to international broadcasters Radio France Internationale and the BBC.

During the national strike in January 2007, the Minister of Information, Boubacar Yacine Diallo, prohibited all private and community radio stations from broadcasting any material relating to the strike.

Economy

Despite rich natural resources, including the potential for hydropower, fertile land for agriculture and almost half the world’s bauxite reserves, Guinea is one of the least developed countries in the world.

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), inflation rose from 3 percent in 2002 to 17.9 percent in 2004. It peaked at 31.4 percent in 2005 before dropping to 27 percent in 2006. The EIU expects inflation of 20 percent in 2007. Continuing difficulties in containing inflation in 2005 and 2006 eroded incomes and contributed to two major strikes in early March and July 2006, which ended peacefully after a negotiated agreement on wage increases and other government concessions.

According to the EIU, economic growth has picked up slowly, from an estimated 3 percent in 2005 to 3.7 percent in 2006. It is expected to reach 4 percent in 2007, largely because of strong growth in the minerals sector. There is ongoing investment in gold mining, and new bauxite and aluminium refining projects.
There has been little investment in agriculture and manufacturing; trade and business services have been severely affected by power and water shortages, and declining disposable income.

The EIU reported that Guinea’s external debt equals US$3.54 billion, and it is unlikely to decrease as the country is not on track to complete the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, aimed at fiscal responsibility followed by debt relief.

In 2002, the European Union froze aid to Guinea amid concerns over the state of democracy in the country and funds were blocked completely after flawed elections in 2003.
In December 2006, the EU agreed to resume aid in 2007, but further money would depend on whether legislative elections in the spring of 2007 are ‘free and fair’.

Population

The population of Guinea is 9.2 million with a growth rate of 2.3 percent. On average, women have 5.9 children.

The country is made up of more than 30 ethnic groups. The main ones are the Fulani who live in the Fouton Djallon region in the centre of the country, the Malinke in the southwest along the coast, the Susu in the northeast and the Kisi and Kpelle in the Forest region in the southeast.

French is the official language; however, each ethnic group has its own language.

The main religion is Islam, practised by 65 percent of the population. About 30 percent practise indigenous beliefs and the remainder are Christian.

Development indicators

Guinea is ranked 160 out of 177 countries on the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Index, a drop of three places since 2003.

Life expectancy at birth is 53.9 years at birth.

Half the population does not have access to an improved water source and 21 percent of children under five are underweight.

The combined primary, secondary and tertiary school enrolment is 42.3 percent and 70.5 percent of the population is illiterate.

Despite rich mineral and agricultural resources, 40 percent live below the poverty line.

Education

Schools in Guinea have suffered under-funding. According to the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO), the government spends 1.8 percent of gross domestic product on education.

On average, classes hold between 60 and 90 students and textbooks must be shared. Although school is technically free, many parents cannot afford the cost of supplies and uniforms due to high inflation rates.

According to UNESCO, the rate of enrolment in primary school in 2004 was 58 percent for girls and 69 percent for boys and of those, 48 percent completed the full course of primary school. At the secondary level, 14 percent of girls and 28 percent of boys were enrolled. One month after the start of the 2006 school year, teachers and administrators from schools in and around the capital Conakry reported dramatic reductions in enrolment.

In the past, there have been disruptions to exams due to teachers’ strikes for increased wages. In June 2006, students protested the delay of exams due to a teachers’ strike. The protest deteriorated into violence and several students lost their lives during clashes with security forces.

Children

Guinea’s collapsing economy has had a severe impact on children. According to UNICEF, 25 percent of children between five and 14 are engaged in some form of labour. The Bureau of International Labour Affairs said most children worked in farming, petty commerce, fishing and small-scale mining.

UNICEF reported in 2005 that 85 percent of orphans and other vulnerable children had to work to contribute to the family income. It also noted that Guinea was a centre for trafficking children. The US State Department reported that children were trafficked for forced labour in agriculture, diamond mines and households in Conakry. These children were at risk of becoming victims of violence, abuse and exploitation, and being recruited into militias. Girls younger than 14 were found to be involved in prostitution.

In 2005, the Guinean government signed an agreement with Mali to prevent child trafficking across the borders of the two countries.

At the end of 2005, a programme to help Guinean children associated with fighting forces was launched. UNICEF sought to demobilise 2,000 child soldiers returning to Guinea after being recruited to fight in Liberia. About 350 were receiving vocational training and assistance in rejoining their families. UNICEF estimated that one-fifth were girls.

Violence against children is widespread and a report on police brutality released in 2006 by Human Rights Watch (HRW) quoted many children confirming being maltreated for offences.

Children also face many health risks due to the deteriorating socio-economic situation in the country. Malnutrition is on the rise and one-third of children are fully stunted in their growth. OCHA described the under-five mortality rate - 155 for every 1,000 live births - as below acceptable thresholds.
Acute respiratory infections are the leading cause of morbidity in children under five, with 191 cases for every 1,000 children per month. Malaria affects 157 per 1,000 children per month and there are 12 cases of anaemia per 1,000 children per month, according to OCHA.

Guinea has one of the highest rates of early marriage in the world, with 65 percent of girls married before the age of 18, according to the UN.

Health

Endemic poverty and a crumbling infrastructure have undermined the population’s health. Only half the population has access to potable water and 18 percent have access to adequate sanitation.

The infant mortality rate is 90 for every 1,000 live births and the maternal mortality rate is 740 for every 100,000 live births. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), only 34.8 percent of births are assisted by a midwife and there are 11 doctors for every 100,000 people.

In late 2006, Conakry’s only children’s hospital reported a doubling in the number of cases of malnourished children compared with three years ago and the hospital is struggling to provide care. Malaria, respiratory diseases and diarrhoea remain the main causes of deaths among children younger than five.

In 2004, the government stopped subsidising healthcare, putting medical services out of reach for most of the population. Since then, Guinea has been running short of medicines and medical supplies, according to UNICEF.

WHO reported repeated outbreaks of cholera and yellow fever in 2005 and 2006. Malaria is also endemic, particularly around refugee camps, creating a considerable impact on healthcare delivery.

HIV/AIDS

According to UNDP, the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in Guinea is 1.5 percent. There are approximately 127,500 people living with the disease.

The National Committee for the Fight Against AIDS was established in 2002 and its study of the socioeconomic impact of HIV/AIDS projected that the percentage of deaths related to HIV/AIDS in 15-49 year-olds would reach between 27 and 37 percent by 2015, up from the present 19 percent.

The Forest region in the southeast has been hit particularly hard. Local officials place the prevalence rate in the main city Nzerekore at 7 percent.

According to the UN Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) only 1 percent of the population has access to voluntary screening for HIV. Over a period of two years, 4,750 pregnant women had access to prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and 2,500 people were receiving antiretroviral treatment.

UNICEF estimated there are 7,000 children younger than 14 living with the syndrome, which has orphaned 28,000 children under 17.

Food security

Although Guinea has fertile land, agricultural production is insufficient to meet community needs. According to OCHA, Guinea had to import more than 300,000 metric tonnes of rice in 2004, an 18 percent increase on 2001. Lack of agricultural production is due to households having limited financial capabilities to buy seeds, tools and hiring labour. The government also has shrinking financial resources to invest in agriculture.

Soaring inflation rates have also made it increasingly difficult for households to purchase food. The price of rice nearly doubled from 2004 to 2005.

These factors have created serious pockets of malnutrition and food insecurity in the country.

According to the World Food Programme (WFP) 90 percent of people suffering from hunger and malnutrition live in rural areas. Of those, 36 percent of households face severe food insecurity.

OCHA reports that the most food insecure areas are Kankan and Faranah in the eastern part of the country, and Nzerekore in the Forest region. OCHA found that 58 percent of surveyed households specified food as the priority for immediate action in the Forest region.

According to WFP, potential threats that could worsen food security include political instability and internal conflicts, border instability and population movements, deforestation and environmental degradation, floods in upper Guinea, irregular rainfall pattern and locust infestations.

Gender issues

Discrimination and the denial of women’s rights are frequent in Guinea, particularly in rural areas, where women are relegated to traditional roles of domestic duties and childrearing.

Polygamy is common and domestic violence a problem. Women rarely reported incidents due to a fear of stigmatisation and the fact that domestic abuse is not directly addressed in law, although assault carries a penalty. In most cases, whether divorce, inheritance or other issues, the law tends to favour men.

According to a recent US State Department report on Human Rights, local non-governmental organisations and government representatives confirmed an increase in sexual assault over 2005, and a doctor at a public hospital in the capital said 20 percent of cases were due to sexual assault. Half the victims were young girls, who generally knew their assailant. Attacks frequently occurred at school.

Guinea has one of the highest rates of female genital mutilation in the world and the highest in West Africa, with 90-99 percent of women having undergone the procedure. It is practised among all ethnic and religious groups and is usually performed on girls between four and 17 years of age. The practice is illegal and carries a prison sentence of three months and a fine of approximately $22. Despite sensitisation campaigns, the law is rarely enforced.

According to the United Nations Population Fund, women held 19.3 percent of seats in parliament in 2005.

Human rights

Guinea’s lack of democracy has encouraged human rights abuses, particularly by security forces.

HRW documented the abusive behaviour of security forces in a 2006 report and found that some detainees had spent more than four years in prison awaiting trial and said they were in prison based in part on confessions made under torture.

There also emerged a pattern of excessive force during demonstrations. As protests have increased due to worsening economic and living conditions, so has the brutality applied to protesters.

According to the Guinean National Health Crisis Committee, the January 2007 strike left at least 51 dead and 1,400 injured.

A US State Department report also noted that some international donors withheld foreign aid pending progress on human rights reforms and that high inflation, severe power blackouts, and water shortages led to increased hardship for most citizens. Other violations against human rights mentioned in the report included infringements of citizens’ privacy rights, inhumane and life-threatening prison conditions and ethnic discrimination.

Humanitarian needs

OCHA reports that Guinea is characterised by a difficult socio-economic environment, political uncertainties and lack of access to basic social services.

The social indicators of Guinea resemble those of a country emerging from war. It has high rates of malnutrition, maternal mortality and poverty which appear to be increasing.

A sharp hike in the cost of fuel and basic commodities has worsened living conditions for many Guineans. This is compounded by rising unemployment and stagnating wages. OCHA reported that many people cannot afford even one meal a day and the percentage of people living below the poverty line has risen from 40 percent in 1996 to 52 percent now.

There are increasingly vulnerable communities in Guinea, particularly youth in the Forest and Haute Guinea regions. They continue to be affected by disease, extreme poverty, limited education, unemployment and poor access to clean water and sanitation. Basic services such as electricity and pipe-borne water are increasingly unreliable.

OCHA has appealed for emergency funds from the Central Emergency Response Fund but said an additional $2 million is needed in anticipation of further outbreaks of violence.

CREDIT : IRIN - United Nations Office – Humanitarian Country Profile