Haruna
 
Subtle and insightful, but even if the "seizure of power by Conte' and his comrades in arms in La Guinea" is conceded as "gratuitous", its fundamental nature remains identical with that of ATT in Mali. At the early stages, and considering the continental experience with the unflattering outcome of coups, few were willing to accord ATT the benefit of the doubt. In any case, both Traore, and Sekou Toure were brutal despots, and Toure's death of natural causes was simply fortuitous. He could have been overthrown.
 
These are tricky and uncertain times in La Guinea, and the political transition in such a lawless society must remain a matter of trial and error. Current events are a direct result of La Guinea's embrace of lawlessness as its political culture. 
 
Against the odds, it may work for La Guinea under "President Camara", as it did for Mali under ATT. 
 
 Suntou sends his Christmas greetings.
 
 
 
 
 
 
LJDarbo
 
 
 

--- On Thu, 25/12/08, Haruna Darbo <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

From: Haruna Darbo <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: La Guinea in Flux
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Thursday, 25 December, 2008, 7:17 PM




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JDAM,
 
I agree with you and we share similar consternation.
 
Illegitimacy is in the eye of the beholder, which in La Guinea's case as is the Gambia's case, the phantom constitution is the beholder.
 
As we aim to break the back of cyclical despotism, we discern the law from the beholden legitimacy. I risk speaking in tongues and if you will forgive me, I will stay with the ordinary:
 
You will remember that Lansana seized power upon the death of Seku Toure. Lansana was propelled into leadership by the military (the coupist junta to be precise). Because of the unsustainable nature of 'unconstitutional' ascendancy to the presidency, tribal niches were carved out of the military and Lansana eliminated his first prime minister, himself parcel of the impounding junta. Verily therefore, Lansana's cabinet was the errant military. It was and still is unsustainable. Its continuation is unacceptable and unforgiveable. To that end, an unconstitutional usurpation of power in La Guinea is the intersection of culture and law which inures implicit legitimacy.
 
Lansana and the military had numerous opportunities to right the sails. At the prospect of fairer weather, they unceremoniously removed the concensus prime minister to be replaced by Soare and they removed the Term-limit clause from the token constitution. The token elections which saw the incarceration of Conde' and the disenfranchisement of students and the trades unions were for show and devoid of substance.
 
There does exist historical precedence for the forceful transfer of power where no other peaceable option is apparent. We look further after the mechanical transfer of power. I am inspired by the Mali experience however I caution that it is in the new power and governance structure that is to behold. Amadou Toumani Toure' did not form a political party to constitutionalize his ascendancy to power. He remained an independent governor and composed a multi-ethnic cabinet. He was indifferent to the fortunes of the established political parties of Mali to include that of Musa Traore. ATT came to power on the heels of popular unrest against Traore's despotic regime as opposed to the gratuitous seizure of power by Conte' and his comrades in arms in La Guinea. Therefore, although ATT was a parachutist in the military, one might say his ascendancy to the presidency was in the national interest of Mali and he governed accordingly and apparently. In effect, just as
 it would be for any civilian head of state, ATT's government was under constant review even amid threats of gratuitous Tuareg insurgencies and banditry. It is to be that ATT was and appeared to be excellent and above board and never attempted to stifle descent and press pantomime.
 
Back to La Guinea....
 
The prospect of La Guinea following Mali's example is inspiring. It will however be pre-requisite for La Guinea to develop the Judicial culture and military discipline that Mali had when ATT staged the honourable coup. La Guinea at this time is in a vacuum of lawlessness and her judiciary lacks foundation in both process and constitution. With the belief that miracles do happen, we may retire conscience to the rag-tag military coupists. The decks are stacked against their best intentions. It will be advisable to look into the 26-member governance council they offer and that will be the determinant as to whether they will be capable of yielding a legitimate legislature and return to barracks expeditiously. What is to deny them the declaration that there is not enough funds to hold elections??? I submit their apparent 'legitimacy' is derived from the extant vacuum of despair and directionless-ness. Why is it more important for that band of the military to
 steward the peoples' vote than a council of elders from La Guinea's constituent tribes? The latter starts out with implicit legitimacy as to La Guinea's sovereignty.
 
In sum JDAM, in present day La Guinea and Gambia, an equally unconstitutional presidency is legitimate within a narrow construct of that word. I am confident you will agree with me that La Guinea has another alternative, more benign and legitimate. There has to be a structure to shepard the state of law and order. A vacuum of despair is scarcely a reliable structure. Cultural 'legitimacy' notwithstanding.

Thank you for your indulgence. As we speak, I have my Friend from France; Dupeyras, chastising me thusly: "Haruna, why are you always fucking with France?" to which I answer coyly "I love France".



Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2008 17:55:17 +0000
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: La Guinea in Flux
To: [log in to unmask]







Haruna
 
I thank you for your usual perceptiveness in paragraphs 3 & 4 of your response.
 
Clearly, the legacy of despotism is rarely pretty. As such, I am reluctant to embrace the blanket contention that 'unconstitutional' change of political leadership is always illegitimate. The case for Conte's cabinet to remain at the helm of Guinean affairs is not remotely persuasive, its civilian colours notwithstanding. 
 
On the other hand, there is demonstrable historical evidence to suggest that greatness can ultimately emerge from the political conversation of force. Your pet West African country is thus far a convincing progeny of the great experiments in  forceful transfers of political authority. I am thinking about the United States, and France. 
 
La Guinea heading in similar direction, i.e., in Mali's? The experiment takes nothing from a people without any say for a whole fifty years.
 
My regards, and methinks Jados has a point.
 
 
 
 
 
 
LJDarbo
 
 
 
 

--- On Thu, 25/12/08, Haruna Darbo <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

From: Haruna Darbo <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: La Guinea in Flux
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Thursday, 25 December, 2008, 5:03 PM


 

JDAM, good to hear you again. Best wishes for the holidays. In Jesus' name, Amen.
 
You raise critical questions which require more than casual answers. It is the intersection of culture and law where I lack the requisite proficiency for a people. I will however share general principles as they pertain to La Guinea and perhaps Gambia and other nation-states.
 
In general, I do not see any difference between a civilian despot and a military dictator. The military dictator is a civilian despot in uniform. To the extent the military is a microcosm of civil society, the two are one and the same. In a lawless nation or a nation where legal authority is vested only in the presidency, there is an inordinate appetite for the presidency to complete designs and crimes. The presidency becomes the sanctuary of criminals, despots, and dictators. What the military has going for it is the mirage of patriotism wrapped in the national colours, giving an air of entitlement, generally undeserved.
 
As regards ascent to power (the presidency) in La Guinea, it is the lawlessness and disregard for orderly ascendancy that accords 'unconstitutional' ascendancy its 'legitimacy'. In effect, and given the extant conditions in La Guinea, such ascendancy to power (presidency) is by default 'legitimate'. It is ill-advised, but defaultively legitimate. It is a vicious cycle that risks being intractable to inure a purely banana republic.
 
There is another solution that offers centripetal force away from the artificial locus of power.
 
A council of governors, drawn from elders of La Guinea's constituent tribes, to infuse sanctity back into the constitution and governance. A constitution that places the military back in its role as defender of La Guinea's sovereignty. This multi-ethnic governing council to oversee legislative and presidential elections and de-emphasize the value of the presidency for it is mainly ceremonial. A synthesis much like that of Iran but instead of a religious governing council, it will be an ethnic governing council. Members of the military ought to be given an opportunity to seek the presidency in such constitution provided they follow a regimen of separation from the military to include rank, title, and reasonable period of divorce from the military. Equal effort must be put into the proper management and constitution of the military as is put into the legislature and Judiciary. The adhoc governing council becomes the defacto electoral commission to replace
 the CENI (that was put together by Conte'). The military goes back to barracks to continue the honourable function of defending La Guinea from enemies of the state, both internal and external. We know France is lurking in the background to claim her lost prize. France must not be allowed to meddle in La Guinea or other nation. Ever again.
 
    

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Lamin Darbo 
To: [log in to unmask] 
Sent: Thursday, December 25, 2008 2:31 AM
Subject: Re: La Guinea in Flux






Haruna
 
Would you say there is a difference between a civilian despot, and a military dictator, between civilian, and military maladministration?
 
What is your take on the contention that an 'unconstitutional' ascent to power, as is looking likely in "La Guinea", constitutes legitimate process in the political conversation? 
 
In the spirit of your laudable ecumenical bent, I wish you a memorable Christmas
 
 
 
 
 
LJDarbo

--- On Wed, 24/12/08, Haruna Darbo <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

From: Haruna Darbo <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: La Guinea in Flux
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Wednesday, 24 December, 2008, 6:32 PM




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Jados,
 
I am humbled by your commendation and I will be remiss if I do not acknowledge that fellow citizens like you make it worthwhile for me to bear on sobriety in my engagements.
 
I do not have nor do I seek extraordinary knowledge into La Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Gambia, or other west African nation. I began with the premise that the region comprises the same people and ethnicities much like Europe, Asia, Latin America, North America, and Australia. My inordinate focus on the region in the services of The Global Democracy Project has only sharpened my understanding and discernments, not any inordinate access.
 
That I may not take sides among those ethnicities and must effort to stifle occultist tendencies by any of the constituent tribes.
 
That La Guinea's sovereignty, physical boundary notwithstanding, is intertwined with the sovereignties of Mali, Senegal, Niger, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and upper Volta, to a lesser extent the Cape Verde Islands, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Ghana, Mauritania, and to a lesser extent Chad. 
 
News is a commodity and can be accessed by any and all of us at any time. What makes the news is the significant part of the equation. We should all make sure, whether Guineans or not by birth, that the news produced is benign and progressive. Because WE make the news. Don't believe the hype to the contrary.
 
Thank you again Jados for the acknowledgement and I encourage you to work with me in The GDP and determine the ware of our own lives. If we leave it to the World Bank, EU, IMF, corporate consortia, roving bandits, or any singular tribe, our concentric rings of life will be forever untethered. Like the Commonwealth fund of funds underwrote the crime of Yahya and Carnegie minerals, the World Bank underwrites the crime of General Lansana Conte' and Rio Tinto. All the while siphoning the loot to the Madoffs, to be used in our continued enslavements. 

While we fret over insignificant religion, the rug is being pulled from under our feet.
 
God bless and happy holidays Jados.



Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:51:15 +0100
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: La Guinea in Flux
To: [log in to unmask]



Bro Haruna,
I am both surprised and impressed by your indept knowledge of Guinea. Sometimes I wonder if it is because you are very current on news filtering from there or you have blood ties from Guinea. Respect!
Even though I have very limited time to read all the messages, yours make a priority always. I enjoy your analytical style and the skill you use to develop your stories. Your choice of vocab and expressions are good too. But above all, you know where to dig out interesting news.
Coming back to Guinea, please keep us informed! I also enjoy the Mali stories you were passing over.
 
Merci bcp!
 
Jados


2008/12/24 Haruna Darbo <[log in to unmask]>


We mourn the passing of General Lansana Conte', second president of La Guinea since independence. May Allah forgive him and may the Almighty guide Guineans with his infinite wisdom.
 
General Lansana's passing before legislative elections in La Guinea is the flux that La Guinea cannot afford. I am confident when Prime minister Soare' yielded to demands for legislative elections last week, this was weighing heavily on his mind and that of the military. Now it is inevitable that the two elections must be held at the same time and it will not be pretty. However, I think La Guinea can weather the storm. She will need help from neighbours Mali, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, SierraLeone, Liberia, and Guinea Bissau, and her development partners during these tenuous times.
 
I encourage the military to stand firm and dispel rumours of gratuitous coups. They must not allow rag-tag outfits to hijack La Guinea's future once more. Opposition parties and trades unions must also be wary of these marauding bands of hopeless infantrymen. A military coup is not in the interest of opposition parties, trades unions, students, and or La Guinea's development partners.
 
It goes without saying that the mining contracts signed by General Conte' for both RIO Tinto and Benny Steimetz are null and void. I am sure the two mining concerns understand that and that they will have to be re-negotiated by the newly elected government of La Guinea. I am very disappointed at the World Bank for the unwise decision to underwrite the Rio Tinto deal and equally disappointed at General Conte's brother-in-law for his part in encumbering La Guinea with BSG.
 
It is now a matter of necessity to complete expeditious elections, both legislative and Presidential, funds or no funds. It will be difficult because the PUP has convinced itself that the logistics and funds were not available for the legislative elections and they encumbered themselves with a cockamayme biometric system. Now the military must assist in ensuring free and fair elections in the shortest span of time. It will be wise to seek additional military support from Mali, Senegal, the Ivory Coast, and perhaps Nigeria, to maintain the peace and order while La Guinea's military gets to work on the elections. All hands on deck.
 
Haruna. 
 
 
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