Elections in Guinea

By Scott Morgan

The weekend of October 18th will be one of the first Elections in Africa that presents a challenge to stability to the region. 

These polls will be run in Guinea.  The current incumbent Alpha Conte is the latest member of a club of Term limited two term Presidents in Africa who want to extend their rule by contesting for and winning a third term in office. 

The first question is why should people in the West pay attention to the upcoming polls? Fair question to ask. 

This is a country where both Chinese and Western Companies have competing interests in the extractive mining industry. Guinea is a primary source of Bauxtite (Aluminum Ore) which is vital to the aviation industry. 

During a speech given last fall in Washington, President Conte chastized Potential American Investors not to be worried about the Chinese presence in Guinea. He stated that he all investors not just Chinese are welcome to invest in his Country.

The presence of China is not the relationship that Guinea has that should come under scrutiny. Over the last two years the Country has developed an interesting relationship with Turkey. 

In September 2019 a row began when the Albayrak Group a conglomerate that has been known to sponsor the Islamist Agenda spreading through Turkey and which has close ties to Turkish President Erdogan received the concession for the Autonomous Port of Conakrey (APC). This award was for 25 years with a promise of a $200 Million investment within the first 24 months and a total commitment of $500 Million to be invested during the duration. This award was made outside the normal proper process of awarding of contracts. 

Earlier this summer it was announced that both Nations had signed an agreement by which Turkey will assist Guinea in Maritime Security and Military Intelligence. 

Guinea does share a common border with Mali which had a Coup earlier this summer and with Cote D'Ivorie which also has Elections at the end of October. 

Already the Main Prosecutor for the International Criminal Court has issued a statement that it is concerned with the rising Political violence and that it will be monitoring the vote when it takes place. 

This is a poll that needs to be observed.

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