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GUINEA COUNTRY PROFILE

Published
14 April 2023

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Guinea's mineral wealth makes it potentially one of continent's richest
countries, but its people are among the poorest in West Africa.

Experiments with socialism and a two-year rule by junta have taken their toll on
prospects for development. The 2010 election ushered in a decade of civilian
rule, but led to violent ethnic clashes as well.

In addition, hundreds of thousands of refugees from Liberia and Sierra Leone
have strained Guinea's struggling economy.

The instability has generated suspicion and ethnic tension - as well as
accusations between neighbours of attempts at destabilisation and border
attacks.

 * Read more country profiles, external - Profiles by BBC Monitoring, external


REPUBLIC OF GUINEA: FACTS

 * Capital: Conakry

 * Area: 245,857 sq km

 * Population: 13.2 million

 * Languages: French, plus Arabic, English, Susu, Pular, Maninka and others

 * Life expectancy: 61 years (men) 62 years (women)


LEADER

Military leader: Mamady Doumbouya

Image source, AFP

Lt Col Mamady Doumbouya, the commander of the country's special forces,
overthrew President Alpha Conde in a coup in September 2021. He accused the
president of rampant corruption, human rights abuses, and mismanagement.

Lt Col Doumbouya set up the National Committee of Reconciliation and Development
with himself as chairman, ordered the release of political prisoners, and
announced an 18-month transition to democracy.

Alpha Conde, a veteran opposition politician, became president in 2010 in
Guinea's first democratic election since independence. He was re-elected in
2015, but faced protests four years later when he changed the constitution to
run for a third term.

In September 2022, the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas)
imposed sanctions on individuals in the military government in response to the
coup.


MEDIA

Image source, Getty Images

Media pluralism is a reality in Guinea, and journalists enjoy a degree of
freedom of expression. But the civilian government often failed to uphold this
standard in practice.

It remains to be seen if the transitional government, installed after the
September 2021 coup, will deliver on freedom of the press issues.



 * Read full media profile


TIMELINE

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Guinea's first president, Sekou Toure, was a leading figure in the drive to
decolonise Africa

Some key dates in Guinea's history:

What is now Guinea was on the fringes of key West African empires.

300-1100 - The Ghana Empire. During this period Islam arrives in the region via
North African traders.

12th Century - After the collapse of the Ghana Empire, the Sosso Empire
flourishes.

13th-15th Century - The Mali Empire defeats the Sosso ruler Soumangourou Kanté
at the Battle of Kirina, in c. 1235.

15th Century - Mali Empire is ultimately supplanted by its vassal states.

1460s - The Songhai Empire surpasses the Mali Empire in both territory and
wealth. It is riven by civil war in the 1580s and is conquered by invaders from
Morocco but then splits into smaller kingdoms.

After the fall of some of the West African empires, various kingdoms existed in
what is now Guinea.

17th Century - European traders arrive

1850s - Increasing French military activity in the region.

1891 - France declares Guinea to be a colony, separate from Senegal.

1898 - French forces defeat the armies of Samori Touré, Mansa (or Emperor) of
the Ouassoulou state, giving France control of what today is Guinea and adjacent
areas.

1958 - Guinea becomes independent, with Ahmed Sekou Toure as president.

2003 - President Lansana Conte wins a third term in elections boycotted by the
opposition.

2008 - Military seizes power after President Conte dies. The coup meets with
international condemnation, but many Guineans back the army's move.

2010 - Return to civilian rule. Alpha Conde declared winner of run-off
presidential race.

2014 - Outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in southern Guinea. It spreads to
Liberia and Sierra Leone, killing 11,300 people in two years.

2021 - President Conde is overthrown in a coup.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

An outbreak of the Ebola virus had a major effect on Guinea


RELATED TOPICS

 * Guinea
 * Africa


MORE ON THIS STORY

 * Guinea-Bissau country profile
   
   Published
   26 February
   
   

 * Senegal country profile
   
   Published
   9 July
   
   

 * Mali country profile
   
   Published
   28 July 2023
   
   

 * Ivory Coast country profile
   
   Published
   24 July 2023
   
   

 * Liberia country profile
   
   Published
   13 February
   
   

 * Sierra Leone country profile
   
   Published
   27 November 2023
   
   


RELATED INTERNET LINKS

 * President of Guinea

 * UN news about Guinea

 * International Crisis Group

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.




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