Editing History of Guinea

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{{More citations needed|date=March 2024}}
{{History of Guinea}}
The modern state of [[Guinea]] did not come into existence until 1958, but the history of the area stretches back well before [[Scramble for Africa|European colonization]]. Its current boundaries were determined during the colonial period by the [[Berlin Conference]] (1884–1885) and the French, who ruled Guinea until 1958.

==West African empires==
What is now Guinea was on the fringes of the major [[West Africa]]n empires. The [[Ghana Empire]] is believed to be the earliest of these which grew on trade but contracted and ultimately fell due to the hostile influence of the [[Almoravids]]. It was in this period that Islam first arrived in the region.

The [[Sosso]] kingdom (12th to 13th centuries) briefly flourished in the void but the Islamic [[Mandinka people|Mandinka]] [[Mali Empire]] came to prominence when [[Sundiata Keita|Soundiata Kéïta]] defeated the Sosso ruler, [[Soumaoro Kanté|Sumanguru Kanté]] at the semi-historical [[Battle of Kirina]] in {{circa|1235}}. The Mali Empire was ruled by [[Mansa (title)|Mansa]] (Emperors), the most famous being [[Musa I of Mali|Kankou Moussa]], who made a famous [[hajj]] to Mecca in 1324. Shortly after his reign the Mali Empire began to decline and was ultimately supplanted by its [[vassal]] states in the 15th century.

The most successful of these was the [[Songhai Empire]], expanding its power from about 1460, and eventually surpassing the Mali Empire in both territory and wealth. It continued to prosper until a civil war over succession followed the death of [[Askia Daoud]] in 1582. The weakened empire [[Moroccan invasion of the Songhai Empire|fell to invaders]] from [[Morocco]] in 1591. The Moroccans proved unable to rule the kingdom effectively, however, and it split into many small kingdoms.

Starting in the 13th century, the [[Arab slave trade]] flourished in the region and the [[Gulf of Guinea]].<ref>Gakunzi, David. "The Arab-Muslim Slave Trade: Lifting the Taboo." ''Jewish Political Studies Review'' 29, no. 3/4 (2018): 40-42. Accessed June 15, 2021. {{JSTOR|26500685}}.</ref><ref name=":0">Elbl, Ivana. "The Volume of the Early Atlantic Slave Trade, 1450-1521." ''The Journal of African History'' 38, no. 1 (1997): 31-75. Accessed June 15, 2021. {{JSTOR|182945}}.</ref> The slave trade was greatly expanded in the 15th century when [[Portugal]] established a number of trading posts in Guinea, purchasing exporting, and kidnapping captives as part of the [[Atlantic slave trade]].<ref name=":0" /> Other European nations would eventually participate in the trade, which persisted into the mid 19th century.<ref name=":0" />

==Kingdoms in Guinea==
After the fall of the major West African empires, various kingdoms existed in what is modern day Guinea.

===Futa Jallon===
{{main|Imamate of Futa Jallon}}
[[Fulani]] Muslims migrated to [[Futa Jallon]] in Central Guinea and established an Islamic state from 1735 to 1898 with a written constitution and alternate rulers.

===Wassoulou Empire===
{{Main|Wassoulou Empire}}
The Wassoulou empire was a short-lived (1878–1898) empire, led by [[Samory Touré]] in the predominantly [[Mandinka people|Malinké]] area of what is now upper [[Guinea]] and southwestern [[Mali]] (Wassoulou). It moved to [[Ivory Coast]] before being conquered by the French.

==Colonial era==
[[File:Carte de l'Afrique-Occidentale française, 1914.svg|thumb|Map of [[French West Africa]] circa 1913]]
Guinea's colonial period began with French military penetration into the area in the early to mid-19th century, as France replaced Portugal as the dominant European power in the region. The French exerted control by building forts and occupying coastal towns, then gradually expanding inland. The French Empire first administrated the territory as part of its Senegalese colony, later establishing the colony of [[Rivières du Sud]] in 1882 and finally the colony of [[French Guinea]] in 1891.<ref>Suret-Canale, Jean. Guinea in the Colonial System, in Essays on African History. Translated, Hurst (1980) pp 111-147.</ref> French domination was assured by the defeat in 1898 of the armies of [[Samori Touré]], the Mansa (or Emperor) of the [[Ouassoulou]] state and leader of Malinké descent, whose defeat gave France control of what today is Guinea and adjacent areas.<ref>Ajayi, J.F. Ade, ed. (1989). ''UNESCO General History of Africa''. Vol. VI: Africa in the Nineteenth Century until the 1880s. Berkeley: University of California Press. {{isbn|978-92-3-101712-4}}</ref>

France negotiated Guinea's present boundaries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with other nations, namely the British colony of [[Sierra Leone]], Portuguese colonial Guinea (now [[Guinea-Bissau]]), and the United States-backed [[Liberia]].

==Independence (1958)==
In 1958 the [[French Fourth Republic]] collapsed due to political instability and its failures in dealing with its colonies, especially [[Indochina]] and [[Algeria]]. The founding of a [[French Fifth Republic|Fifth Republic]] was supported by the French people, while French President [[Charles de Gaulle]] made it clear on 8 August 1958 that France's colonies were to be given a stark choice between more [[Autonomous entity|autonomy]] in a new [[French Community]] and immediate independence in the referendum to be held on 28 September 1958.

The other French colonies chose the former but Guinea — under the leadership of [[Ahmed Sékou Touré]] whose [[Democratic Party of Guinea]] (PDG) had won 56 of 60 seats in 1957 territorial elections — voted overwhelmingly for independence. The French withdrew quickly, destroying infrastructure and equipment along the way,<ref>Robert Legvold, Soviet Policy in West Africa (Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press,
70
1970), 60</ref> and on October 2, 1958, Guinea proclaimed itself a sovereign and independent republic, with Sékou Touré as president.

===Sékou Touré's rule (1958–1984)===
{{Infobox former country
| native_name            = ''République de Guinée'' ([[French language|French]])<br />''République populaire révolutionnaire de Guinée'' ([[French language|French]])
| currency               = [[Guinean franc]]
| title_leader           = [[List of presidents of Guinea|President]]
| life_span              = 1958–1984
| leader1                = [[Sékou Touré]]
| year_leader2           = 1984
| leader2                = [[Louis Lansana Beavogui]]
| year_leader3           = 1984
| leader3                = [[Lansana Conté]]
| life_span1             = 1958–1984
| year_leader1           = 1958–1984
| title_deputy           = [[List of prime ministers of Guinea|Prime Minister]]
| deputy1                = [[Louis Lansana Beavogui]]
| year_deputy2           = 1984
| deputy2                = [[Diarra Traoré]]
| year_deputy1           = 1972–1984
| stat_year1             = 
| stat_area1             = 
| stat_pop1              = 
| calling_code           = 224
| footnotes              = 
| capital                = [[Conakry]]
| today                  = [[Guinea]]
| demonym                = 
| area_km2               = 
| area_rank              = 
| GDP_PPP                = 
| GDP_PPP_year           = 
| HDI                    = 
| government_type        = [[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[one-party state|one-party]] [[socialist republic]] until 3 April 1984
| common_languages       = [[French language|French]]
| conventional_long_name = Republic of Guinea (1958–1978)<br />People's Revolutionary Republic of Guinea (1978–1984)
| year_end               = 1984
| common_name            = Guinea
| linking_name           = People's Revolutionary Republic of Guinea
| national_motto         = Work, Justice, Solidarity
| national_anthem        = ''[[Liberté (anthem)|Liberté]]''
| era                    = Cold War
| year_start             = 
| event_start            = Established
| date_start             = 2 October
| event1                 = [[1984 Guinean coup d'état]]
| date_event1            = 3 April 1984
| event_end              = Disestablished
| date_end               = 23 May
| p1                     = French Guinea
| image_map              = Location Guinea AU Africa.svg
| flag_p1                = Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg
| s1                     = Guinea
| flag_s1                = Flag of Guinea.svg
| flag                   = Flag of Guinea
| image_flag             = Flag of Guinea.svg
| symbol                 = Coat of arms of Guinea
| image_coat             = Coat of arms of Guinea 1958-1984.svg
| symbol_type            = Coat of Arms
| HDI_year               = 
}}

French President [[Charles de Gaulle]] warned U.S. President [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] not to embrace Guinea or France would leave NATO's integrated military structure and tell United States troops to leave France. As a result, the United States did not engage with the Touré government, in response Guinea quickly turned to the Soviet Union—making it the Kremlin's first success story in Africa. Following France's withdrawal, Guinea quickly aligned itself with the [[Soviet Union]] and adopted socialist policies. This alliance was short lived, however, as Guinea moved towards a Chinese model of socialism.  Nevertheless, President John F. Kennedy and his Peace Corps director [[Sargent Shriver]] tried even harder than the Kremlin's [[Nikita Khrushchev]]. By 1963 Guinea had shifted away from Moscow into a closer friendship with Washington.<ref>Philip E. Muehlenbeck, "Kennedy and Toure: A success in personal diplomacy." ''Diplomacy and Statecraft'' 19.1 (2008): 69-95. [http://www.academia.edu/download/41358717/Diplomacy___Statecraft.pdf online]{{dead link|date=July 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>  Guinea relied more and more on aid and investment from the U.S. Even the relationship with France improved, after the election of [[Valéry Giscard d'Estaing]] as president, trade increased and the two countries exchanged diplomatic visits.

By 1960, Touré had declared the PDG the only legal party.  For the next 24 years, the government and the PDG were one.  Touré was reelected unopposed to four seven-year terms as president, and every five years voters were presented with a single list of PDG candidates for the National Assembly.  Advocating a hybrid [[African Socialism]] domestically and [[Pan-Africanism]] abroad, Touré quickly became a polarising leader, and his government became intolerant of dissent, imprisoning hundreds, and stifling free press.

At the same time, the Guinean government nationalised land, removed French appointed and traditional chiefs from power, and broke ties with French government and companies. Vacillating between support for the [[Soviet Union]] and (by the late 1970s) the United States, Guinea's economic situation became as unpredictable as its diplomatic line. Alleging plots and conspiracies against him at home and abroad, Touré's regime targeted real and imagined opponents, driving thousands of political opponents into exile.

In 1970, Portuguese forces, from neighboring [[Portuguese Guinea]], staged [[Operation Green Sea]], a raid into Guinea with the support of exiled Guinean opposition forces. Among other goals, the Portuguese military wanted to kill or capture Sékou Touré due his support of the [[PAIGC]], a guerilla movement operating inside Portuguese Guinea.<ref>
"Mr Sékou Touré, who gave the PAIGC unstinted support during its war against the Portuguese,..."[http://www.economist.com/world/mideast-africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13213487 Black revolt] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090308154755/http://www.economist.com/world/mideast-africa/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13213487 |date=2009-03-08 }}, [[The Economist]] (Nov 22nd 1980)
</ref> After several days of fierce fighting, the Portuguese forces retreated without achieving most of their goals. The regime of Sékou Touré increased the number of internal arrests and executions.

The [[Guinean Market Women's Revolt]] in 1977 resulted in the regime's softening of economic restrictions and began a turn away from the radical socialism previously practiced by the government.

Sékou Touré died on March 26, 1984, after a heart operation in the United States, and was replaced by [[Heads of Government of Guinea|Prime Minister]] [[Louis Lansana Beavogui]], who was to serve as interim president pending new elections.

===Lansana Conté's rule (1984–2008)===
The PDG was due to elect a new leader on April 3, 1984.  Under the constitution, that person would have been the only candidate for president.  However, hours before that meeting, Colonels [[Lansana Conté]] and [[Diarra Traoré]] seized power in a bloodless [[coup]]. Conté assumed the role of president, with Traoré serving as prime minister until December.

Conté immediately denounced the previous regime's record on [[human rights]], released 250 political prisoners and encouraged approximately 200,000 more to return from exile. He also made explicit the turn away from socialism, but this did little to alleviate poverty and the country showed no immediate signs of moving towards [[democracy]].

In 1992, Conté announced a return to civilian rule, with a presidential poll in 1993 followed by elections to parliament in 1995 (in which his party – the [[Party of Unity and Progress]] – won 71 of 114 seats.) Despite his stated commitment to democracy, Conté's grip on power remained tight. In September 2001 the opposition leader [[Alpha Condé]] was imprisoned for endangering state security, though he was pardoned 8 months later. He subsequently spent a period of exile in France.

In 2001 Conté organized and won a referendum to lengthen the presidential term and in 2003 begun his third term after elections were boycotted by the opposition. In January 2005, Conté survived a suspected assassination attempt while making a rare public appearance in the capital [[Conakry]]. His opponents claimed that he was a "tired dictator" <ref>
{{Cite web |url=http://www.guinea-forum.org/Analyses/index.asp?ana=28&Lang=A |title=Welcome Guinea Forum: Cornered, General Lansana Conte can only hope |access-date=2005-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070616165043/http://www.guinea-forum.org/Analyses/index.asp?ana=28&Lang=A |archive-date=2007-06-16 |url-status=dead }} 
</ref> whose departure was inevitable, whereas his supporters believed that he was winning a battle with dissidents. Guinea still faces very real problems and according to ''[[Foreign Policy]]'' is in danger of becoming a [[failed state]].<ref>
{{cite web | url=https://foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4350 | title=Failed States list 2008 | publisher=Fund for Peace | access-date=2008-06-27 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626091027/http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4350 | archive-date=2008-06-26 | url-status=live }}
</ref>

In 2000 Guinea became embroiled in the instability which had long blighted the rest of [[West Africa]] as rebels crossed the borders with [[Liberia]] and [[Sierra Leone]] and it seemed for a time that the country was headed for [[civil war]].<ref>
{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/986375.stm | work=BBC News | title=Civil war fears in Guinea | date=October 23, 2000 | access-date=April 2, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040619115730/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/986375.stm | archive-date=2004-06-19 | url-status=live }}
</ref> Conté blamed neighbouring leaders for coveting Guinea's natural resources, though these claims were strenuously denied.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1102574.stm | work=BBC News | title=Guinea head blames neighbours | date=January 6, 2001 | access-date=April 2, 2010}}</ref> In 2003 Guinea agreed plans with her neighbours to tackle the insurgents. In 2007 there were [[2007 Guinean general strike|big protests]] against the government, resulting in the appointment of a new prime minister.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aspr.ac.at/epu/research/rp_0307.pdf |title=Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ASPR) &#124; Peace Castle Austria |publisher=ASPR |access-date=2013-09-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070615021433/http://www.aspr.ac.at/epu/research/rp_0307.pdf |archive-date=2007-06-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Conté's death and the 2008 coup d'état===
In a [[1984 Guinean coup d'état|coup d'état]] several days following [[Ahmed Sékou Touré|Touré's]] death, [[Lansana Conté]] became the President. The constitution and parliament were suspended and a committee for national recovery was established. Conté remained in power until his death on 22 December 2008.<ref>
{{cite news
| last = McGreal
| first = Chris
| title = Lansana Conté profile: Death of an African 'Big Man'
| work = The Guardian
| location = London
| date = 23 December 2008
| url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/dec/23/lansana-conte-profile
| access-date = 23 December 2009
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130905092810/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/dec/23/lansana-conte-profile
| archive-date = 2013-09-05
| url-status = live
}}
</ref>

In several hours following his death, [[Moussa Dadis Camara]] [[2008 Guinean coup d'état|seized control]] of Guinea as the head of a [[Military junta|junta]].<ref>
{{cite news
| last = Walker
| first = Peter
| title = Army steps in after Guinea president Lansana Conté dies
| work = The Guardian
| location = London
| date = 23 December 2008
| url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/dec/23/guinea-dictator-lansana-conte-dies
| access-date = 23 December 2009
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090826134854/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/23/guinea-dictator-lansana-conte-dies
| archive-date = 2009-08-26
| url-status = live
}}
</ref> On 28 September 2009, the junta ordered its soldiers to attack people who had gathered to protest Camara's presumed candidacy in the upcoming presidential elections.<ref>
{{cite news | title = Guinea massacre toll put at 157 | publisher = BBC | date = 29 September 2009 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8280603.stm | access-date = 23 December 2009 | location = London | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091002232605/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8280603.stm | archive-date = 2009-10-02 | url-status = live }}
</ref><ref>
{{cite web|title=Guinea: September 28 Massacre Was Premeditated|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2009/10/27/guinea-september-28-massacre-was-premeditated|website=HRW|date=October 27, 2009|access-date=2017-08-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911154922/https://www.hrw.org/news/2009/10/27/guinea-september-28-massacre-was-premeditated|archive-date=2017-09-11|url-status=live}}
</ref> The soldiers went on a rampage of rape, mutilation, and murder.<ref name = "NYT">
{{cite news
| last = MacFarquhar
| first = Neil
| title = U.N. Panel Calls for Court in Guinea Massacre
| work = The New York Times
| date = 21 December 2009
| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/22/world/africa/22guinea.html
| access-date = 23 December 2009
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110511215744/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/22/world/africa/22guinea.html
| archive-date = 2011-05-11
| url-status = live
}}
</ref>

On 3 December 2009, an aide shot Camara during a dispute about the rampage of September 2009. Camara went to Morocco for medical care.<ref name = "NYT"/><ref>{{cite web
 |title       = Guinean soldiers look for ruler's dangerous rival
 |publisher   = malaysianews.net
 |date        = 5 December 2009
 |url         = http://www.malaysianews.net/story/573838
 |access-date  = 23 December 2009
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110723202201/http://www.malaysianews.net/story/573838
 |archive-date = 23 July 2011
}}</ref> Vice-president (and defense minister) [[Sékouba Konaté]] flew back from [[Lebanon]] to run the country in Camara's absence.<ref>
[http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-12/16/content_12658142.htm Guinea's presidential guard explains assassination motive] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910102918/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-12/16/content_12658142.htm |date=2013-09-10 }} . [[Xinhua]]. 16 December 2009.
</ref>

On 12 January 2010 Camara was flown from Morocco to [[Burkina Faso]].<ref>
{{Cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100112/ap_on_re_af/af_burkina_faso_guinea_leader |title=Brahima Ouedraogo, "Guinea leader arrives in Burkina Faso", Associated Press/Yahoo News (12 January 2009) |access-date=2017-01-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116150546/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100112/ap_on_re_af/af_burkina_faso_guinea_leader |archive-date=2010-01-16 |url-status=live }} 
</ref> After meeting in [[Ouagadougou]] on 13 and 14 January, Camara, Konaté and [[Blaise Compaoré]], President of Burkina Faso, produced a formal statement of twelve principles promising a return of Guinea to civilian rule within six months. It was agreed that the military would not contest the forthcoming elections, and Camara would continue his convalescence outside Guinea.<ref>{{cite book |author=celine says |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QBazDwAAQBAJ&dq=After+meeting+in+Ouagadougou+on+13+and+14+January%2C+Camara%2C+Konat%C3%A9+and+Blaise+Compaor%C3%A9%2C+President+of+Burkina+Faso%2C+produced+a+formal+statement+of+twelve+principles+promising+a+return+of+Guinea+to+civilian+rule+within+six+months.+It+was+agreed+that+the+military+would+not+contest+the+forthcoming+elections%2C+and+Camara+would+continue+his+convalescence+outside+Guinea&pg=PA177 |title="In Full: Declaration Made in Burkina Faso Between Dadis Camara and Sekouba Konate", ''Newstime Africa'' (16 January 2010) | date=30 September 2019 |publisher=Youth and the State in Guinea: Meandering Lives | isbn=978-3-8394-4570-9 |access-date=28 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100118234046/http://www.newstimeafrica.com/archives/10414 |archive-date=18 January 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> On 21 January 2010 the military junta appointed [[Jean-Marie Doré]] as Prime Minister of a six-month transition government, leading up to elections.<ref>
[https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE60K1L120100121?type=marketsNews "Guinea junta officially names Dore prime minister"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522201945/http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE60K1L120100121?type=marketsNews |date=2010-05-22 }}, Reuters, 21 January 2010.
</ref>

The presidential election was set to take place on 27 June and 18 July 2010,<ref>
[http://www.afrol.com/articles/35415 afrol News – Election date for Guinea proposed] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729195210/http://afrol.com/articles/35415 |date=2014-07-29 }}. Afrol.com. Retrieved on 28 June 2011.
</ref><ref name=transitional>
[http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/16/content_12820272.htm Guinea to hold presidential elections in six months _English_Xinhua] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910075348/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/16/content_12820272.htm |date=2013-09-10 }} . News.xinhuanet.com (16 January 2010). Retrieved on 28 June 2011.
</ref> it was held as being the first free and fair election since independence in 1958.
The first round took place normally on 27 June 2010 with ex Prime Minister [[Cellou Dalein Diallo]] and his rival [[Alpha Condé]] emerging as the two runners-up for the second round.<ref>
{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10499343 | work=BBC News | title=Guinea election goes to run-off as Diallo falls short | date=3 July 2010 | access-date=2018-06-21 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914205958/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10499343 | archive-date=2013-09-14 | url-status=live }}
</ref>
However, due to allegations of electoral fraud, the second round of the election was postponed until 19 September 2010.<ref>
{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-10920366 | work=BBC News | title=Guinea sets date for presidential run-off vote | date=9 August 2010 | access-date=2018-06-21 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127043659/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-10920366 | archive-date=2018-11-27 | url-status=live }}
</ref> A delay until 10 October was announced by the electoral commission (CENI), subject to approval by [[Sékouba Konaté]].<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE68L5RX20100922 Saliou Samb, "Guinea election body proposes 10 October run-off", ''Reuters'' (20 September 2010)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915172432/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE68L5RX20100922 |date=15 September 2021 }}. Reuters.com. Retrieved on 28 June 2011.</ref> Yet another delay until 24 October was announced in early October.<ref>
[http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/10/201010521331725239.html "Guinea run-off election date set", ''Al Jazeera'' (5 October 2010)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513110158/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/10/201010521331725239.html |date=2011-05-13 }}. English.aljazeera.net (5 October 2010). Retrieved on 28 June 2011.
</ref> Elections were finally held on 7 November. Voter turnout was high, and the elections went relatively smoothly.<ref>
[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11705147 "Guinea sees big turnout in presidential run-off poll", ''BBC'' (7 November 2010)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031162511/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11705147 |date=2018-10-31 }}. Bbc.co.uk (7 November 2010). Retrieved on 28 June 2011.
</ref>

16 November 2010, [[Alpha Condé]], the leader of the opposition party [[Rally of the Guinean People]] (RGP), was officially declared the winner of a 7 November run-off in Guinea's presidential election. He had promised to reform the security sector and review mining contracts if elected.<ref>
[http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/conde-declared-victorious-in-guinea-1.831341 Conde declared victorious in Guinea – Africa | IOL News] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140919135917/http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/conde-declared-victorious-in-guinea-1.831341 |date=2014-09-19 }}. IOL.co.za (16 November 2010). Retrieved on 28 June 2011.
</ref>

On the night of 18 July 2011, President Condé's residence was attacked in an attempted coup. The attack included a fierce firefight and rocket propelled grenades. The president was unharmed.<ref>
[http://allafrica.com/stories/201107190453.html Guinea: Conde's Residence Hit By Rocket Fire] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020085900/http://allafrica.com/stories/201107190453.html |date=2012-10-20 }}. allAfrica.com (19 July 2011)..
</ref> Sixteen people have been charged with the attempted assassination. Most of those indicted are close associates of Konaté.<ref>
Jean, Tamba. (5 August 2011) [http://allafrica.com/stories/201108050223.html Guinea: 16 Charged With Assassination Attempt On Leader] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020120825/http://allafrica.com/stories/201108050223.html |date=2012-10-20 }}. allAfrica.com..
</ref>

The [[National Assembly of Guinea]], the country's legislative body, has not met since 2008 when it was dissolved after the military coup in December. [[Guinean legislative election, 2012|Elections]] have been postponed many times since 2007 and, most recently, were scheduled for 8 July 2012. In April 2012, President Condé postponed the elections indefinitely, citing the need to ensure that they were "transparent and democratic".<ref>{{cite web|title=Guinea president postpones parliamentary elections indefinitely |url=http://www.rnw.nl/africa/article/guinea-president-postpones-parliamentary-elections-indefinitely |publisher=Radio Netherlands Worldwide |access-date=22 August 2012 |author=RNW Africa Desk |date=28 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430121146/http://www.rnw.nl/africa/article/guinea-president-postpones-parliamentary-elections-indefinitely |archive-date=30 April 2012 }}</ref>

In February 2013, a plane carrying the head of the Guinean armed forces, General Kelefa Diallo, and nine other military officials, crashed on its way to the Liberian capital, [[Monrovia]].<ref>{{Citation
| url = http://allafrica.com/stories/201302120594.html?viewall=1
| title = Guinea: Tragedy Hits Guinea; Liberia Mourns Plane Crash – Claims 11 Lives, Sirleaf Declares Holiday
| year = 2013
| publisher = [[AllAfrica.com]]
| location = [[Africa]]
}}</ref>

====2013 protests====
{{Main|2013 Guinea clashes}}

The opposition coalition withdrew from the electoral process in mid-February, mainly due to President Conde's insistence on using a suspicious South African firm [[Waymark Infotech]] to draw up the registered voter list.<ref name="Reuters">
{{cite news| title= Security forces break up Guinea opposition funeral march| work= Reuters| url= http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-guinea-clashes-idUKBRE92714Z20130308| date= 8 March 2013| access-date= 2013-03-19| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130424162533/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/03/08/uk-guinea-clashes-idUKBRE92714Z20130308| archive-date= 2013-04-24| url-status= dead}}
</ref><ref name=SAL>{{cite news|title=Guinea electoral body appoints South African firm |author=Salon |work=Salon |url=http://www.salon.com/2013/02/15/guinea_electoral_body_appoints_south_african_firm/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411185504/http://www.salon.com/2013/02/15/guinea_electoral_body_appoints_south_african_firm/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 April 2013 |date=15 February 2013 }}</ref> In late February 2013, [[2013 Guinea Violence|political violence erupted in Guinea]] after protesters took to the streets to voice their concerns over the transparency of the upcoming May 2013 elections. The demonstrations were fueled by the opposition coalition's decision to step down from the electoral process in protest at the lack of transparency in the preparations for elections.<ref name=Rone>
{{cite news | title=Guinea opposition pulls out of legislative elections process | agency=Reuters | work=Reuters | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/guinea-elections-opposition-idUSL6N0BO39F20130224 | date=24 February 2013 | access-date=2017-07-01 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123142620/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/24/guinea-elections-opposition-idUSL6N0BO39F20130224 | archive-date=2015-11-23 | url-status=live }}
</ref>

Nine people were killed during the protests, while around 220 were injured, and many of the deaths and injuries were caused by security forces using live fire on protesters.<ref name="Reuters"/><ref name=Rtwo>
{{cite news | title=Two more killed in Guinea as protests spread | author=Daniel Flynn | work=Reuters | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/guinea-clashes-idUSL6N0BXK3S20130305 | date=5 March 2013 | access-date=2017-07-01 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123183111/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/05/guinea-clashes-idUSL6N0BXK3S20130305 | archive-date=2015-11-23 | url-status=live }}
</ref> The political violence also led to inter-ethnic clashes between the [[Fula people|Fula]] and [[Malinke]] peoples, the latter forming the base of support for President Condé, with the former consisting mainly of the opposition.<ref>
{{cite web | title=Ethnic Clashes Erupt in Guinea Capital | agency=Reuters | publisher=Voice of America | url=https://www.voanews.com/a/ethnic-clashes-erupt-in-guinea-capital-reuters/1613697.html | date=1 March 2013 | access-date=2014-06-29 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231000521/http://www.voanews.com/content/ethnic-clashes-erupt-in-guinea-capital-reuters/1613697.html | archive-date=2013-12-31 | url-status=live }}
</ref>
On 26 March 2013 the opposition party backed out of the negotiation with the government over the upcoming 12 May election. The opposition claimed that the government has not respected them, and have not kept any promises they agreed to. This is expected to lead to more protests and fighting in the streets of Guinea.<ref>
{{cite news| title=Guinea election talks fail, opposition threatens protests| author=Bate Felix| work=Reuters| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-guinea-election-idUSBRE92P11320130326| date=26 March 2013| access-date=2017-07-01| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924180316/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/26/us-guinea-election-idUSBRE92P11320130326| archive-date=2015-09-24| url-status=live}}
</ref>

===2014 Ebola outbreak===
Beginning in July 2014, Guinea suffered the most severe recorded [[2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak|outbreak]] of [[Ebola]] in history, which rapidly spread to neighbouring countries Liberia and Sierra Leone.<ref>
{{Cite web |url=https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/resources/outbreak-table.html |title=Outbreak Table &#124; Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever &#124; CDC |access-date=2017-09-09 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140809095127/http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/resources/outbreak-table.html |archive-date=2014-08-09 |url-status=live }}
</ref> The epidemic was over by June 2016.<ref>
{{cite web|url=https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/2016/executive-board-138/en/|title=WHO Director-General addresses the Executive Board|access-date=9 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160608220150/http://www.who.int/dg/speeches/2016/executive-board-138/en/|archive-date=2016-06-08|url-status=dead}}
</ref>

=== 2020 elections ===

In October 2020, president Alpha Condé won [[2020 Guinean presidential election|presidential elections]]. Condé had been in power since 2010 and he won the third term. Opposition did not accept the results because of allegations of fraud. The president said a [[2020 Guinean constitutional referendum|constitutional referendum]] in March 2020 allowed him to run despite a two-term limit. After the election there were violent protests across the country.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-54657359|title = Guinea elections: Alpha Condé wins third term amid violent protests|work = BBC News|date = 24 October 2020}}</ref>

=== Coup d'état 2021 ===
On September 5, 2021, Alpha Condé [[2021 Guinean coup d'état|was deposed by the military]]. [[National Committee of Reconciliation and Development]] headed by [[Mamady Doumbouya]] took power.<ref>{{cite news |title=Guinea coup: Who is Col Mamady Doumbouya? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-58461971 |work=BBC News |date=1 October 2021}}</ref> On 1 October 2021, Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, who led the previous month's coup, was sworn in as interim president of Guinea.<ref>{{cite news |title=Guinea coup leader sworn in as interim president |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/1/guinea-coup-mamady-doumbouya-interim |work=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of heads of government of Guinea]]
* [[List of heads of state of Guinea]]
* [[Politics of Guinea]]
* Conakry [[Conakry#History|history]] and [[Timeline of Conakry|timeline]]

'''General:'''
* [[History of West Africa]]

==Further reading==
* Chafer, Tony. ''The End of Empire in French West Africa: France's Successful Decolonization''. Berg (2002). {{ISBN|1-85973-557-6}}
* Davidson, Basil. "Guinea, Past And Present" ''History Today'' (June 1959) 9#6 pp 392–398. Covers 1800 to 1959.
* O'Toole, Thomas and Bah-Lalya, Ibrahima. ''Historical Dictionary of Guinea'' (3rd ed. Scarecrow Press. 1995). [http://web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail/detail?vid=4&sid=16c79231-a730-489a-bc49-c533a8c615ec%40sessionmgr101&bdata=#AN=10729&db=nlebk online]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* Elizabeth Blunt. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/986375.stm Civil war fears in Guinea]. ''BBC News''. October 23, 2000.
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1102574.stm Guinea head blames neighbours]. ''BBC News''. January 6, 2001.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050901145049/http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?l=1&id=3509 Stopping Guinea’s slide]. [[International Crisis Group]], Africa Report No. 94. June 14, 2005.
* Adama Sow: [http://www.aspr.ac.at/epu/research/rp_0307.pdf Chancen und Risiken von NGOs – Die Gewerkschaften in Guinea während der Unruhen 2007] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070615021433/http://www.aspr.ac.at/epu/research/rp_0307.pdf |date=2007-06-15 }} – [[European University Center for Peace Studies|EPU]] Research Papers: Issue 03/07, Stadtschlaining 2007 {{in lang|de}}
* André R. Lewin. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060330002618/http://www.african-geopolitics.org/show.aspx?ArticleId=3840 Sékou Touré’s “No”]. ''African Geopolitics.'' 2005.
* [http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=4198911 Bad government, bad neighbour]. ''The Economist''. July 21, 2005.
* [https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2824.htm Background Note: Guinea]
* {{Cite news | title=Guinea: Living on the edge – Chronology: 19th and 20th century | date=January 2005 | url =http://www.irinnews.org/InDepthMain.aspx?InDepthId=17&ReportId=62742 | work =[[The New Humanitarian|IRIN]] | access-date = 2007-02-24 }}

{{Years in Guinea}}
{{Guinea topics}}
{{Socialism by state}}
{{History of Africa}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:History Of Guinea}}
[[Category:History of Guinea| ]]
[[Category:French West Africa|Guinea (colonial)]]
[[Category:Former socialist republics|Guinea]]