Yet Another African Success Story

Yesterday news was released of the death, after a lengthy illness, of the president of Guinea, Lansana Conte. A man who had come to power through a military coup, and who had ruled the country like an iron-fisted despot for 24 years. Guinea, with nine million people, is considered to be one of the poorest nations on Earth. Despite that the country has been bestowed by its geography with eminently saleable commodities such as bauxite, iron, gold and diamond reserves.

So, where does the profit from the sale of those both pedestrian and precious metals and minerals go? In true African tradition, it lines the very deep pockets of the ruling and military elite. The people suffer, as populations are wont to do, ruled by their self-entitled and -availing tyrants. Like Mr. Mugabe in Zimbabwe, Mr. Conte considered himself to be a "man of the people". The people also thought of him in these terms. Until of late when they have become restive.

When colonial powers finally release their one-time conquests from their interfering and resource-voracious grasp, a universal sigh of relief exhales from the minds of forward-thinking people everywhere. That yet another country has been liberated from the grasping occupation of a foreign power. Generally, while under the influence of that foreign power, fundamental institutions of governance to advance the social and political fortunes of the country have been instituted to mirror those of the controlling foreign power.

The liberated countries then seek to emulate in large portion the ruling governmental fundamentals they have been exposed to and taught to trust in. While often expressing those same democratic principles in their own inimitable manner, as, basically, rigid autocracies with a thin veneer of civilizing democracy. It takes people whose traditions have been steeped in tribal culture, a while longer to distinguish between authentic democracy and quasi-democracy, if ever.

And now, with the departure of the country's president to a world far beyond that of his recently living presence, Guinea stands on the cusp of another kind of social revolution; a bit of a departure from the orderly reliance on democratic transfer of power from one elected entity to another. The current prime minister is facing a revolt from much of the country's military, a coup that he denies has captured control of major areas.

The UN condemns the situation, demanding a return to the honouring of the country's constitution and an orderly transition. The United States and France also, urge the coup leaders to rescind their intentions and give the country an opportunity to adjust itself to a new reality. The 26 military officers and six civilians that comprise the "national council for democracy and development" determined to wrest power are, however, intent on unseating the government.

They claim to have suspended the constitution, and in the process have suspended the legitimacy of all government institutions. They have not threatened, nor used force to attain their ends. For that, at least, the people of the country must feel some relief and gratitude. And, if they're successful in overthrowing the current government, perhaps they'll prove to be more mindful of the needs of those whom they represent than had been the dear departed and his governing coterie.