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Boys
drinking water from a small plastic bag in Koundara,
Guinea, West Africa - Photo by Cristi Carlstead
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Announcements
News from Guinea
by
Brian Farenell, FOG Communications Director
In June, Guinea's Independent Electoral Commission
announced that legislative elections would be scheduled for November 2011 and
that it would allocate 200 million FG (around US$30,000) for the poll.
President Alpha Condé subsequently expressed the wish that the vote be delayed
so a national census could be conducted, but this was met with strong criticism
from the opposition.
In late July, Condé survived two attacks on his
residence with bullets, rocket-propelled grenades and rockets, in what were
described as a coup attempt. One bodyguard was killed. Dozens were later
arrested, including General Nouhou Thiam, who had been army chief until being
replaced by Condé. In the final years of the military junta, the size of the
Guinean armed forces nearly quadrupled.
The subsequent crackdown on the media by Condé
was harshly criticized by human rights groups and NGOs.
Note:
You can stay current with Guinea, Peace Corps and PC-Guinea news via FOG's blog (friendsofguinea.blogspot.com/)
and
Twitter feed (www.twitter.com/friendsofguinea)
Friends of Guinea is always
considering grant applications. If you know of a
worthy group or individual in Guinea, please get
ahold of the Project director Lea via email at projects
@ friendsofguinea.org.
RPCV Micah Schaffer recounts the moving
story of Amadou Diallo, a well educated Guinean immigrant
to the U.S. killed by NYPD and of Jesse Thyne, a Peace
Corps volunteer living in Amadou's family home and
village until died in a car accident. This documentary
is both a celebration of their lives and beautiful
spirits and a call to learn to see people as our brothers.
(Death
of Two Sons available for purchase at Amazon.com)
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