2024-05-12 18:10:32
The Republic of Guinea, following the coup d’état of September 5, 2021 and the national consultations which took place from the 14th to the 23rd of the same month, established a Provisional constitution named Transition Charter. This Charter, enjoying broad legitimacy, reflected the deep aspirations of the Guinean people to guide the country towards a more democratic and equitable future. At least that’s what we naively believed. The new authorities claimed to have established, at the heart of this charter, a set of noble values and principles, supposed to guide a peaceful and inclusive transition. However, the reality of the power in place, far removed from the proclaimed ideals, turned out to be a perfect antithesis of these aspirations. Since its entry into force on September 26, 2021, this supposed compass has become a simple paper shield.
From the first page of this charter, we can read a list of these hoped-for cardinal values of our transition:
« Article 1er: This Charter enshrines the values and principles below which must guide the transition, its bodies and all the personalities called upon to lead it:
• Forgiveness and reconciliation;
• Patriotism and loyalty;
• Inclusion and fraternity;
• Justice and responsibility;
• Impartiality and neutrality;
• Tolerance and dialogue;
• Probity and dignity;
• Discipline and good citizenship;
• Merit and fairness. »
Let’s take a closer look at all of this.
Forgiveness and reconciliation find themselves trampled underfoot by a junta which, through its actions, deepens the chasm of division and resentment within the population. Far from working for harmony, it fuels a cycle of resentment and mistrust, eroding the Guinean social fabric. The tightening of the screw currently imposed on the media, political parties and public freedoms, in general, is fueling an increasingly inevitable climate of revenge.
Patriotism and loyalty, ideals supposed to guide leadership, are diverted into instruments of repression. Under the guise of defense of the homeland, a hunt for discordant voices is carried out, stifling loyalty not to a regime, but to the Republic itself and its citizens. Today, patriotism consists of singing the praises of the Prince, of displaying the effigy of the goddess Baga, N’Dimba, and above all of defending the “achievements” of a transition which is fattened by denunciation and servility.
Inclusion and fraternity seem like empty words to those who, through their decisions, exclude a large part of the population from decision-making and the distribution of resources, thus sowing the seeds of discord rather than unity. The early concern for regional and ethnic balances is only a distant memory.
Justice and responsibility are relegated to the status of wishful thinking when impunity reigns and the reprehensible acts of leaders remain without consequences. The lack of accountability in the management of public affairs and the apparent corruption distort the very principle of justice. Worse, the Temple of Themis became the lair of l’injustice, disorder, arbitrariness. The awful melody of moral corruption can be heard a thousand miles away.
Impartiality and neutrality, essential to the equitable conduct of state affairs, are compromised. Decisions are made with bias, favoring a small circle to the detriment of the vast majority, and neutrality is abandoned in favor of partisan interests. For the same supposed faults, some are dismissed and vilified while others benefit from obscene privileges.
Tolerance and dialogue, essential to any emerging democracy, are being replaced by censorship and authoritarianism. The voice of the people, stifled, finds no space to express itself, and the doors of dialogue seem double-closed for those who are subjected to persecution and expropriation, when they are simply not forced. to exile.
Probity and dignity, foundations of honest governance, are eclipsed by embezzlement and contempt for ethical principles. The dignity of the Guinean people is violated by those who prioritize their personal enrichment over common prosperity. New kings of cement and concrete are increasing their acquisitions, causing real estate and land prices to explode throughout the country.
Discipline and citizenship, which should inspire the actions of those who govern and those who are governed, are being replaced by chaos and institutionalized indiscipline, thus undermining the foundations of public order and respect for the laws. Administrative and army vehicles ignore the highway code, and many police officers responsible for enforcing driving rules do not have a driving license.
Merit and fairness, the last pillars of this charter, are ignored in a system where nepotism and favoritism eclipse any consideration of competence and equal opportunities. The market for fake diplomas has been in full swing for two years. Fraud experts scour the administrative apparatus, and the decree fair is never empty.
The transition, which was intended to be multifaceted, going from political to social, embracing the economy and many other sectors of national life, far from aligning with the values and principles established by its own charter, is turning into a tragedy of abuse of power and betrayal of ideals. Can a simple declaration of intentions still be seen as the basis of a real transformation towards a Guinea where justice, peace and equality reign for all?
Mohamed MARA
Journalist