Guinea: national consultations continue with civil society and the diaspora
Members of Guinean civil society line up to enter the Peoples Palace on the second day of consultations organized by the ruling junta on September 15, 2021. AFP - JOHN WESSELS
Text by: RFI Follow
5 mins
National consultations initiated by the junta which took power on September 5 continue in Guinea.
For this second day, the CNRD led by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya invited civil society, then diplomatic representations and finally Guineans abroad.
This Thursday, it will be the turn of representatives of the mining sector.
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Some members of the diaspora flew back home after the coup as quickly as possible, reports our special correspondent in Conakry,
Charlotte Idrac
.
Others were passing through Guinea for business or family visits.
They are business leaders, students, scientists or traders.
Many Guineans abroad responded on Wednesday afternoon.
Colonel Mamady Doumbouya has promised to involve the diaspora in the transition.
Many say they are ready to contribute, to bring their skills with "
a hope of change
", for "
a new start
".
Like this entrepreneur, who left for France, who gave up projects in his country "
because of corruption
".
►
To read: National consultations in Guinea, political parties have started the ball rolling
We need "
new faces
", "
a renewal of the political class
", and "
Guineans abroad have a lot to contribute for the development of the country
", adds another, who left Guinea at the same time. 'age 18, because he said, "
there were no opportunities
."
"
Of course, I would like to return home permanently in the future,
" says an expatriate for 20 years, in Italy and then in the United States.
But he remains vigilant.
"
My hopes during the coup d'état of 2008, then during the election of Alpha Condé in 2010, turned into despair
".
“
So this time, I'm waiting to see.
"
I was able to express myself on the desire of civil society to have a rational transition, which should neither be too short nor too long.
The transition must lay the foundations for a successful election.
These bases, today, hardly exist.
Dansa Kourouma, President of the National Council of Civil Society Organizations of Guinea
Charlotte idrac
Consultations will continue this Thursday with the bosses of mining companies and the presidents of employers' organizations.
According to the Chamber of Mines of Guinea, about fifteen leaders of mining groups should participate in these consultations.
The mining world is rather relieved, because so far the military have announced that they want to guarantee their investments, their agreements and have lifted all restrictions on their exports.
The mining sector received this Thursday
In 2008, when he took power, Captain Dadis immediately announced that he wanted to renegotiate mining contracts, even blocking all gold exports.
Colonel Doumbouya, for his part, does the opposite by guaranteeing their contracts to the miners from the outset, lifting the curfew in producing regions and opening land borders to exports.
Applause from the ranks of the companies, and anxiety quickly dissipated.
Even before they meet with those who run the country, the miners know they will continue to run their companies.
Yet the question is whether business will continue as before.
In its latest report, the IMF expressed concern about the many tax exemptions and other benefits granted to mining companies.
Because the country, which has experienced a boom in bauxite production, derives proportionately less revenue than ten years ago.
In addition, the ecological disaster caused in the Lower Coast region by the exploitation of bauxite caused real popular revolts three years ago.
This disaster is not resolved and the populations of these regions are going through an ordeal.
Guineans feel that the mines are not benefiting them.
A dimension that the junta cannot ignore.
For the moment, we only see encouraging signs, so we hope to be able to continue with peace of mind and we look forward to meeting with them to be further reassured.
Fadi Wazni, Chairman of the Board of SMB, the leading bauxite producer in Guinea
Olivier Rogez
►
To read: Guinea: the UN wants civilians to return to power within a "reasonable" timeframe
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