As New Prime Minister Takes Over, Africanists Say Struggle Continues
The Independent (Freetown)
NEWS
March 7, 2007
By Ibrahim Conteh
As Guinea 's new prime minister Lansana Kouyate takes over government business in Conakry, leaders of the radical youth organization, the Africanist Movement are opposing his appointment saying the struggle is not yet over.
Kouyate is an imperialist puppet who has worked with the American Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Nations, they said.
"The struggle of the masses to control our economy and free ourselves from our deplorable conditions is not yet over and can't be diluted by the selfish aspirations of middle class opportunists," the Africanists noted.
Kouyate was appointed from a list of four nominees presented by trade union leaders in Conakry following discussions with Ecowas leaders to end a two-month protest from angry masses in that country calling for the resignation of president Lansana Conte.
"We completely reject the imposition of an imperialist puppet on our people," Africanist Director, Chernoh Alpha M. Bah told the Independent newspaper in a telephone interview last night, adding that, "the appointment is completely unreflective of the issues that have led thousands of our people out on the streets battling Conte's armed thugs during the last few weeks."
The Africanist leaders say trade union leaders have demonstrated their insincerity to the masses and insulted the African workers in Guinea .
"We knew from time that this was their intention and we knew that they were not sincere which is why they pulled out of a genuine process designed to address the problems of the masses," Bah said.
However, some social movements involved in last month's protests are blaming the Africanist Movement for igniting violent protests in Labe , Dalaba, Pita and many parts of Kindia and Conakry with trade union leaders accusing the Africanist laedership of seeking to use the crisis to advance a different objective.
But Bah has responded by saying it is an "empty sabotage" designed by insincerity of purpose and selloutism.
Few days ago, a statement issued by the African Socialist International identified the Africanist Movement as the only genuine revolutionary force involved in the struggle in Guinea .
"The leading revolutionary force on the ground in Guinea is the Africanist Movement. It is an organization that understands that the struggle for Guinea-Conakry is part and parcel of the struggle for the liberation and unification of Africa and African people everywhere," Omali Yeshitela, Chairman of the African Socialist International noted in said statement while calling for support on behalf of the Africanist Movement.
For now, the Africanists have refused to comment on what next steps they intend to take but for the trade union leadership the situation has been a worthy enterprise after all.
