The political situation in Guinea remains volatile as elections for the National Assembly encounter further delays, and the population continues to call for change. With the civil disturbances of 2007 in which 120 people were killed, fresh in the public mind, the civilian population, particularly youth groups and labor unions, view the military with mistrust. Some see the military as defenders of a status quo that has failed to deliver goods and services to the people. Others view the military as the keeper of the peace, the one institution that can prevent the destabilization of the country as it passes through a political transition.

In order to promote dialogue and improve relations between civilians and the military, USAID recently organized five workshops across Guinea in partnership with the Guinean NGO, the International Commercial Center for Development (CECIDE). The workshops took place between August 7 and September 1, 2008 in Conakry, as well as the provincial capitals of Labe, N’Zerekore , Kankan and Kindia .

The workshops’ principal objective was to prevent conflict between citizens and security forces, and promote respect for human rights through dialogue. During the workshops, representatives of politic parties, labor unions, religious groups, as well as organizations of women and youth shared their concerns and hopes with high and mid ranking military officials.

The participants worked out a list of activities and recommendations designed to improve civil-military relations through mediation of disputes and negotiation. The workshops included simulations of conflicts and their possible resolution through dialogue and negotiation. Participants also reviewed possible conflicts that might arise due to the current political situation, with an emphasis on preventing general destabilization.

Some of the factors cited that could lead to violent conflict include bad governance, a lack of progress on elections, corruption, mismanagement of financial and mineral resources, poverty, and a general lack of ethics and values. The program also focused on preventing violence during the electoral process, and promoting an information campaign to increase understanding between Guinea’s citizens and its security forces.

Colonel Henry Tofany, who directed the workshops, underlined the need for security forces to reach out to the civilian population as the military and civilians strive to address the country’s political, economic, and social development.