Events on January 10 in history

A general strike begins in Guinea in an attempt to get President Lansana Conté to resign.

The year 2007 marked a significant period of civil unrest and political upheaval in Guinea, characterized by a nationwide general strike that profoundly challenged the authority of then-President Lansana Conté. This monumental strike, which began on January 10, 2007, was a direct expression of deep-seated public discontent and a unified demand for systemic change.

The Genesis of the 2007 Guinean General Strike

The strike was initiated and spearheaded by Guinea's influential trade unions, including the powerful National Confederation of Guinean Workers (CNTG) and the Guinean Workers' Union (USTG), in concert with various opposition parties. Their collective grievances were squarely aimed at President Lansana Conté, who had been in power since 1984 following a military coup. The accusations leveled against him were severe and multi-faceted, encompassing profound economic mismanagement and a pervasive abuse of authority.

• Economic Mismanagement: Critics argued that President Conté's administration had presided over a severe decline in Guinea's economic fortunes. Despite the country's rich natural resources, particularly bauxite (Guinea holds approximately one-third of the world's bauxite reserves) and gold, a significant portion of the population endured widespread poverty, high unemployment, rampant inflation, and a dire lack of essential public services such as electricity, clean water, and healthcare. The strikers asserted that the nation's wealth was not being equitably distributed or effectively utilized for national development.
• Abuse of Authority: Beyond economic woes, President Conté was accused of increasingly autocratic rule, characterized by a shrinking democratic space, suppression of dissent, and a general disregard for the rule of law. His prolonged tenure was seen by many as contributing to institutional decay and corruption.
• Controversial Prisoner Releases: A specific and highly inflammatory point of contention was President Conté's alleged personal intervention to secure the release from prison of Mamadou Sylla and Fodé Soumah. Both individuals were prominent figures accused of serious corruption charges. Mamadou Sylla, a powerful businessman with close ties to the regime, and Fodé Soumah, a former state treasury official, were seen by the public and unions as symbols of pervasive impunity and systemic corruption at the highest levels of government. Their release, perceived as an act of presidential overreach and a subversion of justice, ignited widespread outrage and solidified public resolve for the strike.

The Initial Resolution and Subsequent Breakdown

The initial phase of the strike concluded on January 27, 2007, following intense negotiations that resulted in an agreement between President Conté and the trade unions. A key tenet of this accord was Conté's pledge to appoint a new Prime Minister, a concession seen as a significant victory for the striking unions and a potential step towards more accountable governance. The hope was that a new Prime Minister, chosen in consultation with civil society, could initiate much-needed reforms and address the nation's pressing issues.

However, this fragile peace proved short-lived. President Conté's subsequent choice for the prime ministerial post, Eugène Camara, was swiftly and decisively rejected by the unions. Camara, who had served as Conté's Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and was widely perceived as a loyalist with close ties to the president, was deemed unacceptable. The unions argued that his appointment would not bring about the fundamental changes they sought, seeing it merely as a continuation of the status quo rather than a genuine shift in leadership or policy direction. This rejection led to the immediate resumption of the general strike on February 12, plunging Guinea back into crisis.

Imposition of Martial Law and Renewed Protests

In response to the escalating unrest, martial law was controversially imposed across Guinea on the very day the strike resumed, February 12, 2007. This drastic measure granted broad powers to the military, including curfews, restrictions on public gatherings, and increased surveillance, effectively aiming to quell the protests through force. The imposition of martial law led to violent confrontations between security forces and demonstrators, resulting in numerous casualties and widespread condemnation from human rights organizations and the international community.

Despite the severe crackdown and the dangers posed by martial law, the resolve of the striking population and the unions remained unbroken. Nearly two weeks of intensified protests and continued negotiations followed. Facing sustained pressure from both domestic and international actors, President Conté eventually relented and agreed to a crucial demand: he would choose a Prime Minister who was acceptable to the unions and represented a clear break from his inner circle.

The Final Resolution: Lansana Kouyaté's Appointment

On February 26, 2007, President Conté finally named Lansana Kouyaté as the new Prime Minister. Kouyaté, a distinguished diplomat with extensive experience in international organizations, including a tenure as Executive Secretary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and a long career at the United Nations, was a figure acceptable to the unions and a broad spectrum of Guinean society. His background as a technocrat and an independent figure, untainted by direct involvement in Conté's controversial domestic policies, lent him credibility and inspired hope for genuine reform.

Following Kouyaté's appointment, the general strike officially concluded on February 27, 2007, marking a significant victory for civil society and a testament to the power of popular mobilization. Lansana Kouyaté was subsequently sworn into office on March 1, 2007, ushering in a brief but notable period of "cohabitation" in Guinean politics, where a president from the old guard was compelled to work with a prime minister chosen by popular consensus and backed by the unions.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2007 Guinean General Strike

What were the primary demands of the 2007 Guinean general strike?

The core demands included President Lansana Conté's resignation due to accusations of economic mismanagement and abuse of authority, and specifically, the re-arrest of Mamadou Sylla and Fodé Soumah, who were perceived as symbols of corruption.

Who was Lansana Conté and what was his role?

Lansana Conté was the President of Guinea from 1984 until his death in 2008. He was the central figure against whom the strike was directed, accused by unions and opposition parties of misgovernance and authoritarian tendencies.

Why was Eugène Camara's appointment as Prime Minister rejected by the unions?

Eugène Camara was rejected because he was seen as a loyalist of President Conté and not an independent figure who could genuinely address the systemic issues and corruption that fueled the strike. The unions believed his appointment would not lead to meaningful change.

What was the significance of Lansana Kouyaté's appointment?

Lansana Kouyaté's appointment was significant because he was an internationally respected diplomat, perceived as a neutral and competent technocrat. His selection was a major concession by President Conté and represented a rare victory for civil society and a step towards shared governance in Guinea.

What were the consequences of the martial law imposed during the strike?

The imposition of martial law led to violent clashes between security forces and protesters, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries. It also led to widespread human rights concerns and condemnation from international bodies, though it ultimately failed to break the strike's momentum.