CONAKRY-While the three-year transition schedule still divides in Guinea, U.S. Ambassador to Guinea Troy Darmian Fitrell sent a strong message to the junta. The American diplomat urges the transitional authorities to engage in a process for a rapid return to constitutional democracy.

While addressing the Guinean diaspora in the United States - Guinea-American League of Friends of Freedom - Troy Fitrell did not do in the wooden language. He warns that the longer the transition, the more frustrations will crescendo. The ambassador also pleads for respect for fundamental freedoms, while the CNRD has banned all demonstrations in public squares since last May.

"As we are partners of the Guinean people, we advocate for fundamental freedoms, for the openness of political participation, and for justice and dignity. Guinea was born as a Nation of Peace and Leadership. Citizens of Guinea, the region and the whole world need a Guinea that builds on this history. At the moment, Guineans of all origins are hungry for greater political participation, more effective service delivery, more opportunities, more security for their children and a more open and transparent political system. In short, Guineans want more democracy. No less, "said Troy Fitrell.

Since September 5, Guinea has been led by a military junta, headed by Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya who overthrew Alpha Condé after a controversial third term that has stuck the country in an unprecedented political crisis. If the arrival of the military to power had been applauded, it must be said that nine after, many were disillusioned. The lack of consultation and readability in the conduct of the transition has revived tensions in the country. Repeatedly questioned about the authoritarian excesses of the transitional authorities, the American diplomat stationed in Conakry says he heard the cries of hearts of Guineans.

"We hear your calls and continue to urge the Transitional Government to make a rapid transition to constitutional democracy. The longer the transition, the more the Transitional Government risks the instability and frustration of the Guinean population.

In Guinea, my team and I encourage dialogue between all stakeholders to strengthen political pluralism and ensure that everyone's voice is heard. Civil society, the political opposition and groups representing broad perspectives must be allowed to participate openly in democratic life without intimidation or harassment during the transition. We have been clear that such a political dialogue can only succeed if all parties feel confident that there can be a positive result, "he said.

He continued: "We urge the Transitional Government to commit to a transparent transition schedule and public benchmarks so that the international community, and more importantly the Guinean people, can hold the Transitional Government accountable for its promises to a rapid return to a civil regime and a constitutional order. We also support ECOWAS' efforts to hold the Transitional Government accountable to the Guinean people and encourage them to work together in good faith."

The United States ambassador to Guinea did not fail to recall the efforts of former President Condé for a third term, were neither consultative nor transparent. And this, he stresses, has led to a political crisis.

"To avoid a similar fate and ease tensions, all stakeholders, including political parties, the Transitional Government have a responsibility to work together for the benefit of the Guinean people. Let me reaffirm that Guinea is an essential partner of the United States. We are proud to stand with the Guinean people to build a better future. I love this country and its people. Whatever political differences we may have, we all want the same for the future of Guinea, "said the diplomat.

To be continued...

Diallo Boubacar 1

For Africaguinee.com

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GALFF had talks, this Thursday, June 23 in Washington, with Dr. Joseph Sany, Vice-President of the Africa Center of the US Institute of Peace surrounded by his collaborators Johnnie Carson, Senior Advisor and Oge Onubogu, Director of the Africa Program from West. GALFF drew the attention of my interlocutors to the risks that a long and non-inclusive transition would pose to peace and stability in Guinea and the West African sub-region. Our interlocutors, who say they are closely following the evolution of the political situation in Guinea, reassured the UFDG delegation on the commitment of the United States Institute for Peace to work for the return to constitutional order in Guinea in through the organization within a reasonable time of inclusive, free and transparent elections.

CONAKRY-The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) does not agree with the transition deadline, approved by the CNRD, acronym for the military junta in power in Guinea. The sub-regional organization considers that the duration of the three (3) years is too long. It requires the shortest possible time.

"The best transitions are the shortest possible transitions. A transition that is the result of a military coup is not an elective mandate. In our region you have heads of state who are elected for five years, others are elected for four years. A military coup that resembles an elective mandate poses a problem," Jean Claude Kassi Brou said on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, on Africa24TV.

In Guinea, since coming to power, Mamadi Doumbouya, the head of the junta, has undertaken a series of controversial reforms, which he considers necessary for the country. Among them, the recovery of state domains, the moralization of public finances. He has also engaged in major projects in public works. But for the chairman of the ECOWAS Commission, a transition is not intended to make all the reforms. Because it lacks legitimacy.

"A transition is intended to organize credible elections accepted by all parties so that there is consensus and peace. This must be the main objective of a transition. But a transition has no legitimacy to make reforms that must be made by a government from the people," added the head of the ECOWAS Commission.

On May 12, the junta recorded the transition chronogram voted by the NTC (National Transitional Council). In the aftermath, it banned political demonstrations, arousing the ire of certain political parties and civil society organizations. The latter also reject the proposed deadline. Street demonstrations are announced in the country by the FNDC, the movement that waved the Alpha Condé regime in 2019 and 2020.

To be continued...

Diallo Boubacar 1

For Africaguinee.com

ECOWAS is opposed to the three-year transition deadline set in Guinea by the junta. This is at least what the chairman of the ECOWAS committee told our colleagues in Africa 24,.

"The best transitions are the shortest possible transitions. A transition that is the result of a military coup is not an elective mandate. In our region you have heads of state who are elected for five years. A military coup that resembles an elective mandate poses a problem."

According to Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, it is not up to a transition to make reforms.

"A transition is not there to make all the reforms. It is for a transition to ensure that we have a credible election. Which is an election accepted by all parties so that there is consensus and peace; this is the main objective of a transition. But a transition has no legitimacy to make reforms that must be made by a government from the people," hammered Jean-Claude Kassi BROU, the Chairman of the ECOWAS Commission in this interview.

Mosaiqueguinee.com

We are concerned about the series of military coups and forcibly taken power in West Africa. We stress the need to organize free and fair elections and to return to constitutional order in Mali, Chad, Guinea and Burkina Faso. We support the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union and the United Nations to mediate and assist political transitions in the region. We are concerned about the worsening humanitarian situation and we are committed to continuing to work with humanitarian actors to meet growing humanitarian needs. Humanitarian access must be maintained and international law respected by all security forces operating in the region. We take note of the decision taken by some partners to withdraw their military capabilities from Mali due to the multiple obstructions of the Malian transitional authorities as well as the presence of forces affiliated with Russia.
We regret that the Malian transitional authorities have not yet honored their commitment to ECOWAS, supported by the African Union, to hold presidential and legislative elections. We pay tribute to MINUSMA for its stabilization role in Mali. We express our deep concern at the growing presence in Mali of Wagner group forces supported by Russia and the risk of their destabilizing effect on the entire region, as well as our deep concern at credible allegations of serious abuses and human rights violations committed in Mali by members of the Malian armed forces accompanied by forces affiliated with Russia that allegedly caused the death of hundreds of civilians. These abuses and violations committed under the pretext of fighting terrorism contribute to fueling interethnic tensions and, ultimately, benefit terrorist organizations. An impartial investigation must take place and the perpetrators of these acts must be held accountable. MINUSMA must be able to access all sites where these abuses and violations have been committed in order to be able to investigate in accordance with the mandate given to it by the United Nations Security Council.
We will continue to support the Sahel countries in their efforts to become autonomous and achieve sustainable peace, stability and development. We note the need to address the structural causes of conflicts and, at the same time, to fight terrorist threats in the Sahel region. International aid coordination mechanisms, such as the Coalition for the Sahel, the Partnership for Security and Stability in the Sahel and the Sahel Alliance have an important role to play. We reaffirm our willingness to support the civil and political "jump" in the Sahel that countries called for at the N'Djamena Summit. We are concerned about the evolution of the terrorist threat moving from the Sahel to the coastal states of the Gulf of Guinea. We stress the need to strengthen their resilience in a global way and call for improved cooperation between Sahel countries and coastal states, in particular through ECOWAS and the Accra initiative.