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Guinea strike resumes after clash | Guinea strike resumes after clash |
(20 minutes later) | |
Many shops, banks and offices are closed in Guinea's capital, Conakry, as unions resume their general strike, calling for the president to resign. | Many shops, banks and offices are closed in Guinea's capital, Conakry, as unions resume their general strike, calling for the president to resign. |
At least 11 people were killed over the weekend during protests over the new prime minister named by President Lansana Conte. | At least 11 people were killed over the weekend during protests over the new prime minister named by President Lansana Conte. |
He had promised to hand powers to a prime minister, leading unions to call off their 18-day strike last month. | He had promised to hand powers to a prime minister, leading unions to call off their 18-day strike last month. |
But they say the man named, Eugene Camara, is too close to Mr Conte. | But they say the man named, Eugene Camara, is too close to Mr Conte. |
"We don't recognize this prime minister, and anyway, it is no longer a question of the prime minister," said Ibrahima Fofana, the secretary-general of the Guinea Workers Union. | "We don't recognize this prime minister, and anyway, it is no longer a question of the prime minister," said Ibrahima Fofana, the secretary-general of the Guinea Workers Union. |
"With the strike that will restart tomorrow [Monday], we are asking for the departure, pure and simple, of President Lansana Conte." | "With the strike that will restart tomorrow [Monday], we are asking for the departure, pure and simple, of President Lansana Conte." |
Capital 'in chaos' | Capital 'in chaos' |
The BBC's Will Ross in Conakry says military trucks are moving around the city. | |
President Conte is sick and rarely seen in publicHe says protesters have ransacked a police station in the southern town of Guekedou and demonstrators are also on the streets of other towns around the country. | |
Mr Camara has been in government for several years and worked as the minister for presidential affairs. | Mr Camara has been in government for several years and worked as the minister for presidential affairs. |
Our reporter says the capital was in chaos on Saturday after protesters went on the rampage, ransacking government offices and the homes of government ministers. | Our reporter says the capital was in chaos on Saturday after protesters went on the rampage, ransacking government offices and the homes of government ministers. |
The unions say Mr Conte is too sick to continue running the country and accuse him of personally securing the release of two prominent men accused of corruption. | The unions say Mr Conte is too sick to continue running the country and accuse him of personally securing the release of two prominent men accused of corruption. |
Guinea is rich in minerals but is seen as one of the world's most corrupt countries and most people live in poverty. | Guinea is rich in minerals but is seen as one of the world's most corrupt countries and most people live in poverty. |
Some 60 people were killed in protests during last month's strike, when security forces fired live bullets to prevent demonstrators reaching central Conakry. | Some 60 people were killed in protests during last month's strike, when security forces fired live bullets to prevent demonstrators reaching central Conakry. |
Our reporter says some question how long the military will continue to turn their guns on the demonstrators. | |
Regional fears | |
The president seized power in a 1984 coup but has since won three elections. | The president seized power in a 1984 coup but has since won three elections. |
Mr Conte is in his seventies, suffers from diabetes and is rarely seen in public. | Mr Conte is in his seventies, suffers from diabetes and is rarely seen in public. |
Some fear that violence in Guinea could spread to its neighbours, Liberia, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone. | Some fear that violence in Guinea could spread to its neighbours, Liberia, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone. |
Liberia and Sierra Leone are recovering from years of civil war, while rebels control northern Ivory Coast. | Liberia and Sierra Leone are recovering from years of civil war, while rebels control northern Ivory Coast. |