2024-08-27 04:39:15
In November 2021, a few days after his military coup, General Mamadi Doumbouya, then a colonel, declared: “I think I have been clear, and I will be clear again today with you: neither I nor any member of this transition will be a candidate for anything. We will lead the transition to a successful conclusion with all Guineans. We will start from the bottom up through the local elections, after the legislative elections, the presidential election, to allow the president who comes after not to want to drag things out, because the people will never again accept that public affairs be personalized. So, for me, the duration of the transition must be defined. The timetable for the transition must also be defined by the legislative body…”
In October 2022, ECOWAS and the government agreed on a 24-month transition period, to begin on January 1, 2023 and end in December 2024.
In May 2024, Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah clarified to TV5 Monde that the return to constitutional order, as agreed with ECOWAS, would not take place on the date initially set. He explained: “There has been a delay in the agenda for the completion of the ten points of the timetable. We accept this delay. We are working to ensure that, as President Mamadi Doumbouya declared on December 31, the constitutional referendum can be held at the end of this year. We cannot afford to play with the country’s interests, its stability and peace. From the moment we have the consolidated electoral register and the organization of the referendum, the rest will be a question of timing.”
Despite these commitments to a return to constitutional order, some individuals seek to divert public attention for personal gain. Among them is Cheick Souleymane Sidibé, alias Karamö Solo, whose recent statements show a clear desire to manipulate popular emotions. By stating: “If ever another candidate manages to stand up to them, I swear in the name of God, I will abandon the rosary to join the fetish priests…”, he not only betrays the deep values of our faith, but he also strives to divert attention from the real issues at stake in this transition.
Karamö Solo does not just talk. He advocates unconditional support for the military in power while threatening to renounce his religious beliefs, a gesture that reveals his true face: that of an opportunist exploiting faith to satisfy his personal ambitions. This perception of opportunism does not come from me, but from many scholars and notables of the holy city of Kankan. It is also relevant to recall that Karamö Solo has been suspended several times by the Islamic League of Guinea.
The Quran guides us with wisdom and clarity: “O you who believe! Be strict for Allah, and witnesses who are just. Let not hatred of a people cause you to be unjust. Be just, for that is nearer to piety.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:8). The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) teaches us that deception has no place in the community of the faithful: “He who deceives is not of us.” (Sahih Muslim).
Karamö Solo’s calls to support a military regime and reject the democratic path go against true Islamic principles and are an insult to the dignity of our people. He uses faith as a tool for his own interests, using beliefs as a puppet to play his power game.
To you, Mamadi Doumbouya, we address a sincere and poignant appeal: Guinea has suffered for too long under the weight of injustice and corruption. On September 5, you made a courageous choice, promising change for a nation aspiring to freedom, dignity and justice. You took the reins of a broken country, vowing to rebuild it on solid foundations.
Think of the tears of mothers who lost their children to the inefficiency and cruelty of past regimes. Feel the pain of the sons and daughters of Guinea, dreaming of a better future, far from the chains of oppression and corruption. These faces, these hopes, these silent cries are the very essence of what you took power for.
Do not let the deceptive sirens divert you from this noble path. Karamö Solo and his ilk bring nothing but chaos and division. They are echoes of a past that you promised to overcome. By remaining faithful to your commitments, by honoring your promise of justice and transparency, you will offer your people the most precious gift: the hope of a Guinea reconciled with itself, standing tall and proud.
You have the opportunity to leave an indelible mark on history, not by giving in to the temptations of power, but by building a future where every Guinean can look to the horizon with pride and hope. Your leadership can transform Guinea not only into a land of prosperity, but also into a beacon of justice and dignity for all of Africa.
Do not let imposture overshadow your vision. Listen to the whisper of future generations, feel the power of their hope and let it guide your steps. Guinea expects from you not only a leader, but a hero who, with integrity and courage, will chart the course towards a bright future.
In the face of this critical situation, the question remains: will we allow impostors to hijack our path to democracy and justice, or will we choose to stand firmly behind those who have promised a better future for our nation? Guinea needs leaders of integrity and commitment, not troublemakers and kings who exploit faith for personal gain. The time has come to rise up as a united people, claim our right to fair and transparent governance, and protect our homeland from those who seek to sow division and disillusionment. Guinea, n’fa bara, n’na so, let us not let imposture overshadow our transition to a dignified and prosperous future. Together, let us build the nation we deserve.
Ousmane God KABA