Alpha Condé
Alpha Condé | |
---|---|
4th President of Guinea | |
In office 21 December 2010 – 5 September 2021 | |
Prime Minister | Jean-Marie Doré Mohamed Said Fofana Mamady Youla Ibrahima Kassory Fofana |
Preceded by | Sékouba Konaté (acting) |
Succeeded by | Mamady Doumbouya (interim)[1] |
15th Chairperson of the African Union[2] | |
In office 30 January 2017 – 28 January 2018 | |
Preceded by | Idriss Déby |
Succeeded by | Paul Kagame |
Personal details | |
Born | Boké, French Guinea | 4 March 1938
Political party | Rally of the Guinean People |
Spouse |
Pantheon-Sorbonne University |
Alpha Condé (N'Ko: ߊߟߑߝߊ߫ ߞߐ߲ߘߍ߫; born 4 March 1938) is a Guinean politician who served as the fourth president of Guinea from 2010 to 2021.
Condé spent decades in opposition to a succession of regimes in Guinea, unsuccessfully running against President Lansana Conté in the 1993 and 1998 presidential elections and leading the Rally of the Guinean People (RPG), an opposition party. Standing again in the 2010 presidential election, Condé was elected president in a second round of voting. Upon his election, he said he would strengthen Guinea as a democracy and fight corruption.[3]
When Condé took office in December 2010, he became the first freely elected president in the country's history. He was
Early life
Condé was born on 4 March 1938 in Boke in Lower Guinea. His parents were from Upper Volta.
Condé left for France at the age of 15. He was active in the National Union of Higher Education (SNESUP), the Association of Guinean Students in France (AEGF), and the Black African Students Federation in France (FEANF), of which he was claimed to be the Executive Coordinator of African National Groups (GN) from 1967 to 1975, overseeing the activities of the Directorate of FEANF.[11]
Condé wrote a master's thesis in political science, Le P.D.G. et le peuple de Guinée, in 1965.[12]
Political career
Condé won 18 percent of the vote in
Controversy during his detention focused on whether he could be represented by foreign as well as domestic lawyers, and whether defense lawyers were being given full access to him in jail. Condé's trial, initially scheduled to begin in September 1999, did not begin until April 2000. Condé, along with 47 co-defendants, was charged with hiring mercenaries, planning to assassinate President Conté, and upsetting the state's security. Defense lawyers began by calling for the judge to immediately release their clients, then quit, saying that under the circumstances they could not properly make a defense. The trial was thus delayed several times, during which time Condé refused to speak in court, and his co-defendants denied all of the charges. The trial finally continued in August, and in mid-September Condé was sentenced to jail for five years.[13]
However, Condé was released in May 2001 when he was pardoned by President Conté, with the condition that he was prohibited from engaging in political activities.[13] Following his release, he left Guinea for France, returning in July 2005.[14] Upon his return, some reports indicated that he intended to organize the RPG for the municipal elections held in late 2005, but later stated his intention to boycott them.[15]
Following Conté's death and the
2010 election and presidency
Condé stood again in the June–November 2010 presidential election. During the first round, he received 18 percent of the votes, while Cellou Dalein Diallo placed first with over 40 percent. On 15 November 2010 Condé was declared the winner of the second round with 52.5 percent.[18] Imogen Rose-Smith from Institutional Investor said that his win was "surprising" given his "poor results" in previous elections and in the first round of this election.[undue weight? ][19]
After he was elected, Condé attempted to improve the mining law in Guinea, in consultation with George Soros in order to reduce corruption in the sector and increase the country's benefit. Condé turned to Soros to help draw up a mining code that would reduce corruption and increase the government's stake from 15% to 35%.[3]
According to various documents that were allegedly leaked to the international NGO Global Witness, mining company Sable Mining was involved in helping Condé win the 2010 election in return for mining rights in the country. Global Witness reported that Sable Supported Condé's election campaign, organized logistics and strategic meetings, offered to loan him a helicopter, and paid bribe money to his son, Alpha Mohammed Condé,[20] in order to secure mining permits in a number of areas, including Mount Nimba. In an email allegedly sent from Alpha Mohammed Condé to Sable in August 2010, he said that backing his father's campaign "will make my dad all the more comfortable to support our business partnerships".[21]
Alleged assassination attempt
On 19 July 2011, the presidential residence was shelled, resulting in the death of a presidential guard and the injuries of two others. Condé survived the alleged assassination attempt.[22] A former army chief and a member of the presidential guard were arrested hours after the two attacks on his house. The President later spoke to the country saying that "My house was attacked last night, but I congratulate the presidential guard who fought heroically from 3:10 until 5:00 before backup arrived." He also added that his plans for reform would not fail.[23]
Three days later at least 41 soldiers were arrested for the assassination attempt. A government official said that many of those arrested had ties to the country's previous military rulers.
The United Nations reacted by saying that there was a greater need for military reforms in Guinea. The UN Special Representative for West Africa, Said Djinnit, said that the assault showed "weaknesses remain in Guinea's defence and security systems [and] reinforces the UN's determination to support the country's military reforms. I saw the damage...[the attack] clearly intended to kill the president."[22]
2013 pre-election violence
Condé received criticism during week-long protests and violence in late February and early March 2013, after opposition supporters took to the streets of
The ensuing violence resulted in at least twenty deaths and hundreds injured due to Condé's security forces who used live ammunition to disperse the peaceful protesters.[25][26]
Voting finally took place on 28 September. Local and international observers stated that the process was significantly flawed, stating that they observed ballot stuffing, voter intimidation, and minors casting votes. These organizational problems and irregularities led to a three-week delay in the announcement of the election results, which in turn led to further tension. Regional UN and EU representatives intervened[27] and strongly recommended that the situation be addressed peacefully via the legal system.[28]
Ebola Outbreak
While the
During the epidemic Condé suspended travel bans, stopped flights and widespread quarantine restrictions. During the outbreak Guinea's economy got damaged. In a two day United Nations conference Condé was optimistic about receiving 3.2 billion for the nations effected by the Epidemic.[31]
In August 2015 Alpha Condé met with Dr Mohamed Belhocine to discuss about Ebola virus vaccine. Condé was stressed about how effective was the vaccine. Following that meeting he gave instructions for the establishment of a technical committee for Guinea, tasked with making proposals and recommendations for organizing a national meeting with experts on Ebola vaccine.[32]
2015 election
On 17 October 2015, Condé was selected for a second term and given 57.85 percent of the vote, an outright majority in the first round of voting.[4] The election was marred by fraud and mismanagement.[33] Cellou Dalein Diallo, who received the majority the vote, rejected the results because the vote had been rigged by Condé's government. Condé's government resorted again in intimidating voters, ballot stuffing, permitting minors to vote, altering the electoral map, and violence against the opposition supporters. However, the opposition did not file an official appeal.[34] Condé was sworn in for his second term on 14 December 2015.[35]
2016 corruption allegations
In 2016, French news organization
2019–2020 Guinean protests
The 2019–2020 Guinean protests were a series of bloody protests and mass civil unrest in Guinea against the rule of Conde that first broke out on 14 October 2019 against constitutional changes. During the violent clashes, over 90 people may have lost their lives.[37]
2020 elections and third term
Condé won a third term in October 2020 presidential election, with 59.5% of the vote. Condé stated that a March 2020 constitutional referendum allowed him to run despite a two-term limit. The opposition rejected the results because of allegations of fraud, and violent protests erupted across the country.[5]
Economy
Under his administration the Guinean economy grew at an average 5% and people of Guinea usually earned about $3.20.[38]
Overthrow
On 5 September 2021, Condé was captured and overthrown by the military during the 2021 Guinean coup d'état.[39] Promising to change the political landscape of Guinea, the military's Special Forces dissolved the constitution and shut the country's land and air borders.[40][41][42] Lieutenant-Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, the head of the Special Forces, said that government corruption and mismanagement precipitated the coup.[43]
Condé was released from military detention and was sent to the residence of his wife, Djene Kaba Condé, in Conakry; she thanked the military junta for releasing her husband and "guaranteeing him treatment worthy of his rank".[44][45][46]
On 9 December 2022, the US Treasury published a list of more than forty personalities targeted by sanctions for acts of corruption and human rights violations. Among the targets of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the financial control body of the Treasury Department is Alpha Condé.[47]
Awards and decorations
National honours
- Guinea:
- Grand Cross with Collar of the National Order of Merit
Foreign honours
- Namibia:
- Grand Commander of the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia mirabilis (9 May 2019)[48]
- Russia:
- Recipient of the Order of Friendship (28 September 2017)
Personal life
Condé is a Muslim.[49] He was married to Djene Kaba Condé.[50] Condé has one son, Alpha Mohamed Condé.
Further reading
- Bothorel, Jean; Condé, Alpha (2010). Un Africain engagé : ce que je veux pour la Guinée. Paris: Jean Picollet. OCLC 650206262.
References
- ^ Samb, Saliou; Prentice, Alessandra (1 October 2021). Elgood, Giles (ed.). "Guinea swears in coup leader as interim president". Reuters. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
- ^ "Guinea President Alpha Conde elected AU chair succeeding Deby". The Star Kenya. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
- ^ ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
- ^ a b "SYNTHESE DES RESULTATS PROVISOIRES Election Présidentielle du 11 Octobre 2015" (PDF) (in French). Commission Electorale Nationale Indépendante. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 October 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
- ^ a b c "Guinea elections: Alpha Condé wins third term amid violent protests". BBC News. 24 October 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
- ^ "Guinea elections: Alpha Condé wins third term amid violent protests". BBC News. 24 October 2020. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
- ^ "Guinea's president re-elected in contested vote, provisional results show - France 24". France 24. 17 October 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
- ^ William Mwangi (30 January 2017). "Guinea President Alpha Conde elected AU chair succeeding Deby". The Star, Kenya. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ^ AfricaNews. "Kagame takes over AU leadership, commits to visa-free regime | Africanews". Africanews. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
- ^ "Guinea coup-makers vow to 'entrust politics to the people'". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
- ^ "President of Guinea - Alpha Condé". Guinée Ministère de la justice (in French). Archived from the original on 15 October 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
- OCLC 26537950.
- ^ a b c d Englebert, Pierre. (2006) Guinea: recent history. In Africa south of the Sahara 2006, 35th ed. London: Routledge.
- ^ "Guinea: Opposition leader returns as food tensions mount". IRIN. 4 July 2005.
- ^ "Guinea: Opposition split over whether to take part in municipal elections". IRIN. 20 July 2005.
- ^ "Guinea coup leader gets Senegal's backing". Reuters. 27 December 2008.
- ^ "Guinea junta chief 'holed up in Burkina villa'". AFP. 20 February 2010.
- ^ Samb, Saliou (15 November 2010). "Alpha Conde wins Guinea vote". Reuters. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
- ^ "Dan Och's African Nightmare". www.institutionalinvestor.com. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
- ^ "Guinea says to work with Global Witness over corruption allegations". Reuters. 20 May 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
- ^ Witness, Global. "The Deceivers". Archived from the original on 20 February 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
- ^ a b "Guinea arrests troops after assassination bid", Al Jazeera, 22 July 2011.
- ^ "Post-attack, Guinea tells investors country is under control". Associated Press. 19 July 2011. Archived from the original on 6 June 2012.
- ^ Mckune, Craig; Brummer, Stefaans (11 September 2014). "SA spooks fixed Guinea poll". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ "Security forces break up Guinea opposition funeral march". Reuters. 8 March 2013.
- ^ Salon (15 February 2013). "Guinea electoral body appoints South African firm". Salon.
- ^ "World Report 2014: Guinea". Human Rights Watch. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ^ "Papers show what lay behind Condé regime's Ebola denialism in Guinea". theconversation.com. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ISSN 2214-790X.
- ^ "Guinea's president on global aid push: 'Ebola forced us to change completely' | Guinea | The Guardian". amp.theguardian.com. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ "President Alpha Condé : The Ebola virus vaccine is effective. But the fight goes on. We must move quickly towards full-scale production". WHO | Regional Office for Africa. 19 July 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ "Guinea president Alpha Conde wins second term with clear majority". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 17 October 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ "Guinea's Condé wins re-election in disputed presidential vote - France 24". France 24. 17 October 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
- ^ "Guinea's president sworn in for 2nd term", Associated Press, 14 December 2015.
- ^ "Audio recordings drag Guinea president into mine bribery scandal - France 24". France 24. 1 December 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
- ^ "Timeline: A year of bloody protests in Guinea". Al Jazeera. 14 October 2020.
- ^ Harshé, Rajen (13 September 2021). "The fall of Alpha Condé's regime in Guinea: A critical appraisal".
- ^ Bah, Youssouf; Paquette, Danielle (5 September 2021). "Guinea's president is detained in apparent military takeover". The Washington Post. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
- ^ "Elite Guinea army unit says it has toppled president". Reuters. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
- ^ "Elite Guinea army unit say they dissolved the government and the constitution of the West African country". CNBC. 5 September 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
- ^ Online, Peace FM. "Coup Underway In Burkina Faso, President Detained By Military". Peacefmonline.com - Ghana news. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
- ^ "Guinea's would-be 'Mandela' was an agent and casualty of democratic backsliding". France 24. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
- ^ "Guinea's junta says ousted leader Alpha Condé has returned home". RFI. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
- ^ "La junta militar de Guinea asegura que Condé ha sido trasladado a la vivienda de su mujer en Conakry". Europa Press. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
- ^ "Guinée: Alpha Condé transféré dans la résidence de son épouse". Matin Libre (in French). Retrieved 2 December 2021.
- ^ "Mali – Guinée : Alpha Condé et Karim Keïta sous sanctions des États-Unis – Jeune Afrique". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). 9 December 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- ^ @NamPresidency (9 May 2019). "President @hagegeingob honours H.E Prof. @AlphaCondePRG as he joins the revered Alumni of the Namibian National Hon…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Guinea: No more power based on ethnicity". 25 November 2010.
- ^ "Guinea's President and First Lady to attend the 2011 High Level Meeting on AIDS". www.unaids.org.