International Diplomatic Consultant, Farouk Al-Wahab says Guinea’s coup leader, Colonel Mamady Doumbouya seeks to do away with the polarized and tribal based leadership in Guinea.
He revealed that although Mamady Doumbouya belongs to the ruling ethnic group in Guinea, the Malinke’s, same as deposed President Alpha Conde, “he wants an all-inclusive government which will have all the 4 tribal sections in Guinea fairly represented in the governance structure.”
On his accord, out of the 4 Guinean tribes (Fulani, Malinke, Soussou, Kissi), the Malinke have always been at the fore front of the Guinean military and politics. “Doumbouya is a Malinke but he feels the country will be united if there is an all-inclusive government. In Guinea, the Fulani people have always been merchants and have been marginalized over the years. They have not been involved in governance over the years and Doumbouya has realized that and feels the all-inclusive government is what they need to develop.”
In an interview with Sefah-Danquah on Happy98.9FM’s Epa Hoa Daben political talk show, the diplomatic consultant indicated that the interim government being constituted to lead Guinea is not “what we have in a regular French speaking interim government.”
To him, Doumbouya is well aware of the problem of Guineans and believes anyone who sits on the interim government will be diligent. “Anyone in this government knows that if they fail, they have failed their community and let their tribe down.”
Explaining how long an interim government is supposed to rule, Farouk Al-Wahab noted that under international standards, it is between 11 to 18 months. “The UN allows 11 or 18 months and they’re technically a year and two respectively. The 18 year period is for a country which has suffered a genocide and more deaths. But a normal interim government without a big uprising usually lasts 11 months.”
Background
Col Mamady Doumbouya has been sworn is as Guinea’s interim president after leading a coup which saw the overthrow of Alpha Condé.
The former French legionnaire, 41, becomes Africa’s second-youngest leader, after Mali’s Assimi Goïta, 38, who also staged a military takeover.
Col Doumbouya is barred from contesting future elections, under a transitional charter published this week.
The 5 September coup has been widely condemned,
Both West Africa body Ecowas and the African Union have suspended Guinea.
Ecowas also imposed sanctions against the coup leaders and demanded a return to constitutional order within six months.
Guinea’s military junta has announced plans to move the country towards civilian rule but did not specify how long the transition would be.
The document was drawn up after days of consultation between the military and political, religious and business leaders.
Anyone taking part in the interim government led by a civilian prime minister will be barred from standing in the following elections.
Col Doumbouya said the army had seized power because of rampant corruption, disregard for human rights and economic mismanagement under 83-year-old former President Condé.
