February
24, 2007: Over a hundred people have died in political violence in Guinea
in the last month. The police and soldiers have been brutal, and corrupt
(stealing from people and homes being searched), which has enraged people even
more. It's feared that the country will dissolve into general disorder, and threaten
the fragile peace in neighboring (to the south) Liberia and Sierra Leone. The
strike has shut down mining operations, which provide most of the revenue which
president Conte uses to keep himself in power.
February
23, 2007: The parliament in Guinea refused to extend the martial law. This was
unexpected, as parliament had never defied president-for-life Conte
before.
February
12, 2007: The government declared martial law, in an attempt to curb the
growing number of street demonstrations and break the national strike.
February
11, 2007: The unions have called on the population to go on strike. Many have
complied.
