2023-12-04 13:45:38
Guinea continues its march of writing. It has been some two years since the fall of the man whom the new authorities accuse of all the sins of Israel. Today, quite a few Guineans openly say they regret the departure of Alpha Grimpeur. Because, in the 33 years that Guinea has been engaged in democratization, citizens’ rights have never been so abused.
For a week, there has been radio silence on FIM FM. This station’s airwaves are jammed as when the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc carried out a similar practice to prevent their countries’ citizens from listening to the Voice of America, the BBC and the Deutsche Welle. Although no one officially claims this ignominy, it’s no secret that it doesn’t just happen. There is definitely a hand behind it.
The government may claim and proclaim that it has nothing to do with this matter, just as with the restriction of social networks or access to certain websites which have hit the headlines recently, even Toto remains incredulous. Especially since the radio stations concerned are those known for their freedom of tone. If it was nature that got angry with the radios, those who swear only by the CNRD must also suffer the vagaries of nature. In any case, this argument can only convince the CNRD minds.
And as if this unprecedented jamming were not enough, the government’s megaphone has its culprit, at least with regard to the restriction of social networks: again and again the famous submarine cable. Which would often be disrupted. Without laughing, the minister throws a wrench into the pond, declaring that the Internet is not a right. Which continues to spark a real outcry on the web. For the first time, the very controversial government spokesperson is crucified by everyone. Until now, only the activists of his former party and part of the press took him to task, now there is unanimous support against him.
But how can a politician, who harbors the hope of one day being at the head of his country, alienate everyone? For the irrationalists, like the UFDG executives who left the ship, the former single-member deputy for Gaoual is hit with a curse from his former boss. Far from it, this minister is perfectly aware of what he is doing. Like everywhere, a government must have several types of personalities within it. There are those who must limit themselves to their work, the generally uneventful technocrats. And there are the diet diehards who alternate hot and cold. To gauge popular reaction. Ousmane Gawa Diallo is this type of politician.
When it took power, the CNRD knew that it would be difficult to find a man better placed than the former president’s convict to play the role of spoilsport. Nicknamed the reckless, because he is not afraid, Ousmane Gawa Diallo was to be the perfect polemicist minister who would not hesitate to take on the most unpopular government decision. Observers believe that if it started with the Department of Urban Planning and Housing, it was not insignificant. He had to support the demolition of his former mentor’s house. And, even if no one can prove that this choice was strategically linked to this demolition of the new exile’s house, the minister has not expressed the slightest remorse.
Oussou Gawa therefore plays his role. The one who is expected by his new boss. He must be part of the hard wing of the regime. Even though everyone is supposed to be tough in a military regime, there are tough guys. Oussou Gawa is one of them. In a way, he owes his continued existence in government to this role. The scenario is simple: he wields the stick and his boss comes behind with the carrot. It is unimaginable that the minister would make a solitary decision, especially one as unpopular as restricting access to the Internet or jamming the airwaves of a radio station. But it is the government’s shield. This is the gentleman who took on what the Colossus Colonel calls “the dirty work”.
It is not for anyone to play such a role. This is signing his political death warrant. It’s a difficult choice to make. It’s about preferring the short term to the long term. The most democratic regimes have their ministers who choose the camp of the hardliners. Conversely, bloodthirsty regimes have their members known and recognized for their moderation.
After being declared an enemy of the press at the start of the year, after the incidents that occurred in the United States on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Ousmane Gawa did not need the blunder “the internet is not a right “. Because in the first two cases, he faced part of Guinea. From now on, he is grappling with all of Guinea. Despite the desperate attempt of some interested supporters, this is unprecedented in the country, everyone disapproves of the comments of a minister of the Republic.
Habib Yembering Diallo
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