Guinea Peace corps Volunteer Cami writes: Looks like we're not going back to Guinea, where things seem to be getting worse before they get better



Things finally seem to have come to a point of no return. I'm hoping that the conflict resolves itsef sooner rather than later in Guinea, mostly as I'm worried about the security of all the people I met throughout my seven months in Guinea. That being said, the people of Guinea could only live under a regime which oversaw 250% inflation, making it nearly impossible for some to buy rice, medication, and other necessary goods. Teachers weren't being paid, schools were closed, and corruption was rampant. A country can only function for so long under those conditions.

Guinea Peace corps Volunteer Cami writes: Looks like we're not going back to Guinea, where things seem to be getting worse before they get better

Another Day of Violence in Guinea

from Lost In Guinea by Cami

Well - time for a pretty pessimistic post. Looks like we're not going back to Guinea, where things seem to be getting worse before they get better. Violence broke out all across the country today, as Lansana Conte announced his nomination of Eugene Camara as Prime Minister late Friday night. The promotion of Camara, Minister of Presidential Affairs, to Prime Minister was seen by the unions and most Guineans as a demonstration of the president's unwillingness to surrender any power, sparking demonstrations from Conakry to Kankan to Kissidougou. Even in Boke, where I spent standfast with pretty much no signs of unrest, protesters lined the streets. I haven't been able to call Boke to find out what happened, but I'm assuming it was a generally peaceful demonstration, at least compared to the rest of the country. That being said, I still worry about my students, who will undoubtedly become involved in demonstrations at some point, and my neighbors, who live in the Prefet's compound, which seem to be a favorite target for demonstrators. Dalaba, Labe, Pita, and other cities have all seen the prefet's houses or offices ransacked and burned to the ground. In Kankan today, violence resulted in the deaths of two soldiers, who were subsequently burnt. It seems unlikely that tomorrow will be any better, as soldiers in the President's motorcade killed two students as the President fled Conakry this morning. The new Prime Minister's house was sacked in Conakry, along with the Guinea Bissauian President's mansion (the neighboring country had apparently sent mercenary troops to help defend Conte).

Things finally seem to have come to a point of no return. I'm hoping that the conflict resolves itsef sooner rather than later in Guinea, mostly as I'm worried about the security of all the people I met throughout my seven months in Guinea. That being said, the people of Guinea could only live under a regime which oversaw 250% inflation, making it nearly impossible for some to buy rice, medication, and other necessary goods. Teachers weren't being paid, schools were closed, and corruption was rampant. A country can only function for so long under those conditions.

A good BBC article covers today's occurrences in Guinea: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6349411.stm

As far as we're concerned, well, I have no idea what's gonna happen. I'm positive we're not going back to Guinea, though I'm not quite sure what I'll be doing a few months from now. I'm hoping that the re-enrollment option works for me. In other words, I'm hoping to return to the U.S. for a few months, before rejoining the Peace Corps for another full service starting this summer, likely in another West African country with a TEFL program. Next week I'll hopefully know a little more about what our real choices are. Guess we'll see. Ok - time for bed. Say a little prayer for Guinea.

Oo'o.

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: February, 2007; Peace Corps Guinea; Directory of Guinea RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Guinea RPCVs; Peace Corps Mali; Directory of Mali RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Mali RPCVs; Safety and Security of Volunteers

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