Guinean President Lansana Conte on Monday declared a state of
emergency in the West African country in an effort to end the
violent protests against his rule, according to reports from the
capital Conakry.
Conte told state television that he had decided to decree
martial law across the country, considering "the destruction and
the losses in terms of human life" in Guinea.
The law will last until Feb. 23, during which demonstrations and
any "public or private meetings likely to jeopardize social order"
are prohibited.
The country will also be under curfew, prohibiting the "movement
of people, vehicles or goods" in the whole territory, Conte
said.
Meanwhile, the 72-year-old president ordered the army to take
all necessary measures to maintain public order and protect the
people "from the risk of a civil war."
Labor Unions in Guinea called on a general strike on Monday.
Protesters clashed with riot police in the capital Conakry and
Nzerekore and Macenta, claiming at least 18 lives.
Union leaders said they resumed the national stoppage because
without negotiating with them or opposition parties, Conte named a
close ally, Eugene Camara, State Minister of Presidential Affairs
and Coordination of Government, as the new prime minister on
Friday.
The alliance between labor unions and opposition parties
threatened an unlimited general strike from Monday to force the
resignation of Conte.
Demonstrations and national strikes since Jan. 10 have killed
more than 100 people. The unions demanded Conte set up a government
of national unity, appoint a consensus prime minister and improve
the living standard of the people.
The unions later called off the strikes after they reached an
agreement with the government on Jan. 27 that Conte appoint a
consensus prime minister who is not a member of his current
government.
(Xinhua News Agency February 13, 2007)
