[African news] 'Alarming' rate of domestic violence in West Africa

The International  Rescue Committee recently issued a report highlighting what it calls an 'alarming' rate of domestic violence in West Africa (Voice of America news article here; more info from IRC here). The IRC stated that primary threat to women in many West African nations was not war but domestic abuse. The NGO noted that 2/3 of the women who sought help from them had been battered by their husband or partner.

[Guinean news] L’Enfant noir on stage for the first time

Guinéenews reports that a Conakry theatre company is producing a play based on the memoir L’Enfant noir. Often translated into English as “Dark Child,” L’Enfant noir was written by the Guinean author Camara Laye and is generally considered one of the seminal works in African literature. The play is being produced by the company Labortor’arts in conjunction with the Franco-Guinean cultural center.

[FOG news] FOG welcomes new officers!

Friends of Guinea is excited to welcome a new slate of officers to its board of directors.



SECRETARY: Pat Barron

MEMBERSHIP: Teresa Pope

GUINEA PARENT SUPPORT: Betty Walker

COMMUNICATIONS AND WEB ADMIN: Amy Hylinski Daffé

FINANCES: JanRose Ottaway Martin

PROJECTS: Anne Sites


Mackenzie Dabo (newsletter) and Urska Manners (listserv) are remaining in their positions.

Outgoing communications director Brian Farenell will still maintain this blog as well as the FOG Twitter feed.



A big thank you to the outgoing officers for all your service to FOG!

Stephanie Chasteen (secretary)

Brian Clappier (membership)

Karen Starr (web)

Shad Engkilterra (finances)

Donald Parker (projects)

[Guinean news] Legislative elections delayed

President Alpha Conde has announced that legislative elections originally scheduled for July 8 will be postponed indefinitely. The delay, demanded by the opposition, is designed to improve the voter registration process.

[Guinean news] Guinea denounces Mali coup

The Guinean government has denounced the apparent military coup d'etat in neighboring Mali. Guinea's Communications Minister said that "Guinea's position is identical to that of ECOWAS." The West African regional group firmly condemned the coup and call for a return to constitutional order in the country.

[Guinean news] IMF agrees big loan to Guinea

The International Monetary Fund recently agreed to extend a US $200 million credit to the Guinean government to help restore stability and usher the country towards completion point for billions of dollars of debt relief, noted Reuters. The IMF lauded Guinean for increasing economic growth and stabilizing inflation.

[Guinean news] Dozens killed in road crash near Beyla

Some 50 people were killed and 27 reportedly injured in a serious road accident in eastern Guinea. A gros camion carrying merchants to the weekly market in Beyla "was travelling downhill at high speed when the brakes failed," according to a witness.

[Guinean news] Legislative elections set for July 18

Elections for a new Guinean National Assembly has been set for this upcoming July 8 by the country's Independent National Electoral Commission, according to RFI Afrique radio.

[Guinean news] Top govt official charged in 2009 stadium massacre

A Guinean court has charged a top government official for his alleged role in the infamous September 28, 2009 massacre at Conakry's main sports stadium. Colonel Moussa Tiegboro Camara, the current secretary of state in charge of fighting organized crime, faces accusations over the killing of scores of protesters and mass rape of women; he was head of presidential guard at the time. More than 150 people were killed and over 100 women raped, according to Human Rights Watch, and the massacre galvanized opposition to military rule which eventually led to democratic elections in 2010. Observers view it as significant that the case was seized by the Guinean domestic justice system rather than the International Criminal Court.

[Guinean news] Fire damages Matoto market

A severe fire ravaged through the Matoto market in Conakry several weeks ago, destroying over 20 boutiques. No lives were lost. An electrical short circuit was identified as the cause of the blaze.