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Brochure
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Conakry
Port Information
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Port Infrastructure
Situated on the South Coast of Guinea, Conakry is
the country's principle port and can cater for both wet and dry cargoes. Principal
exports include agricultural products, cotton, bauxite and iron ore. Imports
include manufactured goods and salt.
There is also a second harbour for fishing vessels.
Location
Conakry port is located on the South Coast of Guinea
Transport
News
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US Removes Trade Benefits From Guinea - 24/12/09
US President Barack Obama has removed Guinea from a list of African countries
receiving trade benefits. The decision was taken as the US conducted an annual
review of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act [AGOA] program, which evaluates
participating countries in part on the strength of democratic reform. Guinea
has been removed from the program due to democratic backsliding in the past
year. The AGOA program passed Congress in 2000 and establishes a framework
of economic cooperation with the African continent that runs through 2015.
Guinea will be suspended from the program for 1-year. [AFP 24/12/09]
Attempted Coup In Guinea - 14/12/09
Guinea's military junta and civilian opposition are holding talks with mediators,
a week after the top bauxite exporter's leader,
Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, was shot in a botched assassination attempt by
his own soldiers. Camara was evacuated to
Morocco, where he is recovering from surgery on gunshot wounds to his head.
His deputy has taken charge of the country
but the rogue soldiers are still being tracked and there are fears of ethnic
violence. Meanwhile Guinea's civilian opposition
has refused to accept anything but the military's departure from power.
The junta seized power in a coup last December and initially
won over some of the population with promises of reforms. But
divisions within the country, and the military, have deepened as Camara back-tracked
on vows to hold polls and restore
democracy. Pressure on the junta to step down has intensified since a September
28 security crackdown on pro-democracy
campaigners that human rights organisations say killed over 150 people. United
Nations investigators visited Guinea to
probe the killings and Chambas warned the junta that human rights violations
would not go unpunished.
The region's conflicts have long been intertwined and four of Guinea's neighbours,
which endured war or politically-linked
violence over the last decade, remain fragile as they seek to consolidate
their own peace process. [RT 14/12/09]
Updated - Guinea Leader Shot - Flies to Morocco - 07/12/09
Moussa Dadis Camara was treated for head wounds. Camara will
remain in hospital for a few days with no cause for concern by doctors.
Defence Minister Sekouba Konate, viewed as loyal to Camara, has assumed temporary
control of the country.
Vessels are operating normally in Conakry port.
Guinea Leader Shot - Flies to Morocco - 04/12/09
Guinea's military leader, Capt Moussa Dadis Camara has survived an attack by
one of his soldiers in Conakry late on 04/12/09.
Today he has flown to Morocco for medical treatment after being lightly wounded
in the attack.
Camara's former aide de camp, Lieutenant Aboubacar "Toumba" Diakite,
has been reported to be behind the attack on Camara.
The attack happened as U.N. investigators in Conakry wound up their inquiry
into the September 28 killings.
Camara's departure immediately raises questions about his future. While there
was no suggestion that he had been overthrown, analysts believe he may not
return to Guinea and could instead be persuaded to take exile.
Power is currently with the CNDD (junta) and the government.
According to local reports gunshots rang out throughout the night but calm
has been restored this morning.
Apparently the army is blocking the port and the airport.
Conakry Container Terminal Concession - November 2009
The NCT Necotrans Group [www.necotrans.com] has announced that the Conakry
container terminal concession has been awarded to its subsidiary Getma International.
The concession agreement between the Guinean government and Getma International
has been signed for a 25-year period. It covers the management, maintenance,
extension and equipping of the Conakry container terminal by Société du
Terminal à Conteneurs de Conakry [STCC], a subsidiary of Getma International
and its representative for the concession.
Now a partner for Guinea's long-term development, STCC is committed
alongside the State to developing a major infrastructure: the Port of Conakry.
This project
represents an investment of over €100 million and will involve 3-main
phases:
1.
Renovation of the existing structures
2.
Extension of the existing terminal by 120,000m2
3.
Equipping of the entire facility.
First Phase
Began on 01/06/09 and is scheduled to be completed in spring 2010. It involves
two main stages:
1. Renovation of the existing terminal:
The NCT Necotrans Group teams have deployed more than 35 pieces of handling
equipment on the terminal, including two Gottwald mobile cranes. These new
modern
facilities will allow an improvement of the terminal’s performances.
Alongside the deployment of this equipment, renovation work is being carried
out: painting, cleaning, repair and equipping of the structures [renovation
of the current storage area]. A new computerized container management system
has also been put in place.
2. Development of a storage platform
To cope with growing traffic, with a 27% increase in the number of TEUs between
2007 and 2008, a new storage platform has been developed outside of the port.
This platform makes it possible to store empty containers on a 1.1 hectare yard,
representing a ground capacity of 270 TEUs and a total capacity of 1,300 TEUs.
[Traffic on the Conakry port terminal: 87,013 TEUs for 2007 and 110,600 TEUs
for 2008.]
Second Phase
This phase will run through to 2013, extending the terminal with 300m of quay
and 12ha of additional container yard. [The current terminal is 250 metres
long, with a 10.50 metres draught and 7 hectare container yard.] Alongside
this extension, the draught will be increased to 13m, while two gantry cranes
and a dozen RTG units [mobile gantry cranes] will be set up. An optional
investment program covers the construction of a further 135m of quay for
feedering and transshipment. Under the concession agreement, fees will be
paid on several levels:
•
The entry fee or operating fee, representing €15 million, in return for
the exclusive concession,
•
The fixed annual fee for occupancy of the port area, • The variable fee
paid monthly based on the volumes of containers handled.
Guinea – ECOWAS Deadline Missed & AU Imposes
Embargo - 19/10/09
Guinea's military leader Capt Moussa Dadis Camara has postponed an announcement
on whether he will stand in next year's presidential election.
The African Union had given him until midnight on Saturday to formally promise
he would not participate.
ECOWAS on Saturday imposed an arms embargo against Guinea, accusing the ruling
military junta for "mass human rights violations" during anti-government
protests last month.
International pressure has increased for Guinea's military leader Captain Moussa
Dadis Camara to step down.
US, France and EU have called on Camara to resign and the International Criminal
Court is investigating recent killings.
France has urged its 2,500 nationals to leave Guinea over the weekend. The
French foreign ministry says that the security situation has worsened since
the 28 September protests.
Three civilian ministers have resigned from the government last week in protest
at the killings.
Guinea – Tension Mounts As Security Forces Shoot
Opposition Protesters - 29/09/09
Guinean security forces on Monday opened fire on tens of thousands of protesters
urging Guinea’s military ruler Captain Moussa Dadis Camara to step
down. The move has brought broad international condemnation and the threat
of sanctions
from the African Union.
The clashes follow months of wrangling between Camara and opponents who insist
he should not stand in a January presidential poll.
Today public transport is not running.
There are currently no dockers in the port ad office workers are returning
home as the tension mounts.
See Reuters news bulletin at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbHWqVdJ9S8
Guinea Customs Procedures - 24/07/09
In order to clear cargo, Guinea Customs prohibits the mention of "various
items, general goods and/or general merchandise" on manifests and bill
of landing. Please click
here to see the official notice.
· The receiver's address
must be correctly written in full both on the manifest and b/l. · For goods in transhipment the manifest and b/l must mention "in
transit to: (name of the country)".
All POLs please comply with this directive
to avoid any penalty with customs.
Guniea Bissau Fragile As Politicians Killed In Counter-Coup
- 05/06/09
Military police in Guinea-Bissau killed Territorial Administration Minister
Baciro Dabo today. Dabo was to be a candidate in the June 28th presidential
elections.
His death was a resultant of an operation to foil a planned coup attempt.
Former defence minister Helder Proenca and former prime minister Faustino
Embali were
also shot dead.
Intelligence services noted on state radio that they had material proof that
the coup attempt was aimed at physically eliminating the head of the armed
forces, overthrowing the interim head of state and dissolving the national
assembly.
Note: In March, soldiers killed President Joao Bernardo "Nino" Vieira
in an apparent revenge attack for the slaying of the army chief of the West
African country.
A power vacuum means that regional instability is expected to continue.
Freight Collect / Prepaid in Conakry - 29/05/09
Please note that shipping
operations are no longer covered by a recent government decree which banned
any financial or commercial transaction in a foreign currency. As such we can
continue to accept freight collect for import cargo to Conakry or prepaid
export cargo from Conakry in USD or Euro.
Guinea [Conakry] - Freight Collect / Prepaid - 22/05/09
The new government of Guinea has passed a decree banning any financial or commercial
transaction in a foreign currency.
As such we can no longer accept freight collect for import cargo to Conakry
or prepaid export cargo from Conakry.
For the official notification please click
here.
Container Terminal Contracted To Getma - 19/05/09
The National Authority for Democracy and Development [CNDD] on 09/04/09 by
decree No 074/PRG/CNDD/SGPRG has validated the port convention for Conakry
port to Getma International [www.getma.com] for a period of 25 years. The
deal is expected to generate a sales turnover of 2 billion Euro over that
period. [Kankan 19/05/09]
OT Africa Line Notice: Guinea - Conakry Port Customs
- New Directive - 24/04/09
Please
click
here for a new directive from the Guinea Ministry of Finance. New measures
taken by the customs office require that all electronic cargo manifests (xls,
word etc...) must by sent simulteneously to both the agency
office and the customs office. Please ensure that these documents are sent both
to Cherif.Diallo@bollore.com [Agent] and to manifesterecu@yahoo.fr [Customs].
Failure to do so can lead to a fine.
Guinea Containers Second Search Cancelled - 02/04/09 Our local agent has advised us that the second inspection has now
been cancelled.
Guinea Containers To Be Scanned - 20/03/09
The CNDD* and the Government of Guniea has issued an order that all discharge
containers at Conakry container terminal will be sent directly after scanning
to the unstuffing area for a second inspection and search.
This move is in order to reduce the trafficking of drugs and is effective immediately.
* CNDD = The National Council of Democracy and Development is
the ruling military-civilian authority in Guinea since December 2008.
Port Authority To Be Guided By The Presidency - 04/02/08
The President of Guinea, Moussa Dadis Camara, has issued a decree to several
ministries and national
organisation that their management will now fall under the remit of the Presidency.
This move is in order to
control receipts and includes Customs, Tax Office and the Port Authority of
Conakry. [PANA 04/02/09]
Guinea President Dies - 23/12/08
Guinea has announced the death of President Lansana Conte [cause unknown but
he had been ill for sometime].
His death leaves a potential power vacuum after 24 years of tight rule.
Hours later soldiers [identity unknown] made a radio broadcast saying the constitution
and government are dissolved.
The statement said a ruling council would be installed which would name a president
in the coming days. It would also name a new prime minister and a government
to fight corruption. Legislative elections were already planned for 2009.
National Assembly President Aboubacar Sompare has asked the Supreme Court to
name him president in line with the constitution [Article 34].
Military chief Diarra Camara has ordered troops to protect strategic locations
and the borders throughout Guinea.
The AU are monitoring the situation.
Conakry - Bureau Veritas Continues To Cause Controversy
- 09/12/08
As reported back in our July Transport Report, Bureau Veritas seems to have
courted controversy ever since its establishment on 31/03/08. Local traders
have continued to protest against its presence within Conakry port and scanning
of export cargo. Following discussions some commodities have been made exempt.
You can find a list of these below along with official notices on the
subject.
On 06-07/12/08 traders again met to press the Government for
an indefinite suspension of Bureau Veritas and decided that they would stop
all import-export
activities until a solution is found. This decision should be observed by
all from January 2009 so an all out strike can be expected. [Local Agent 09/12/08]
Euro 12 Million Conakry Port Renovation Project - 27/10/08
The foundation stone was laid to mark the beginning of the second part of the
port renovation project at
Conakry port. This project is divided into three parts and includes a reinforced
security system, electrical
works and access facilities from the port quay to the highway. A new dangerous
goods warehouse will also
be built. The Euro 12 million project is due to last for 24 months and will
be financed by a German company
KFW. [SAGA 27/10/08]
Bellzone of Australia Plans US$4.5 Billion Iron-Ore Mine & Port
Facility - 08/09/08
Bellzone Holding of Australia, plans to exploit a 1 billion metric ton iron-ore
deposit in central Guinea at a cost of
US$4.5 billion. The deposit is situated at Kalia, 600-km [373 miles] northeast
of the city. Bellzone are in talks with the
Guinean government about signing an agreement in December 2008.
As part of the project, Bellzone plans to build a port facility at Forecariah,
100-km southeast of Conakry, a bitumen
road and two railway lines - one to ferry mine equipment and exports and the
other for the use of Guinean citizens.
[BL 08/09/08]
Bureau Veritas Continues To Cause Controversy - 18/07/08
Established a few
months ago, Bureau Veritas seems to have caused controversy in Conakry. In
Madina,
one of the country’s largest markets, traders are protesting against
the establishment of Bureau Veritas.
Traders have blamed the company for recent price escalation on the markets.
Customs taxes have also
increased by 15% since the beginning of the year. Bureau Veritas’ contract
was signed on March 31 by Dr
Ousmane Doré, Minister of Economy and Finance, and Bureau Veritas. The
latter’s mission is the control of
imports and the scanning of goods before shipment.
On July 7, traders protested against the government’s move to increase
transparency in the management of
activities within the Port of Conakry. Today, relative calm has returned and
the government maintains its
position that Bureau Veritas should officiate. [Kaba News 18/07/08]
Rio's Massive Simandou Iron Ore/Rail/Port Project 'Rescinded'
- 01/08/08
Rio Tinto has received correspondence from the government purporting to rescind
its Simandou iron-ore
concession. This follows earlier reports in June that the concession award
was being re-examined. Last year
Rio Tinto had approved preliminary funding of US$145 million for pre-feasibility
studies focused on
development of the concession, which would also include a 700km rail system
and a deep water port south
of Conakry, targeting completion of studies for 2010. The total cost was
put at $6 billion. It now remains to
be seen whether the correspondence Rio has received is the last word on the
company's involvement.
However China may be waiting in the wings to step in Rio's place. [MW 01/08/08]
Guinea sets up new government - 23/06/2008
Guinean President Lansana Conte has set up a new government to strengthen his
control over the country.
The 36-strong new cabinet has been expanded from 22 members.
For full list of ministers please click here.
We await the reaction from the general public/unions and will revert with any
further developments.
Guinea calm after soldiers put down police strike - 20/06/2008
Soldiers have now replaced police in Conakry. The situation is reported as
peaceful.
Soldiers have also been deployed at the entrance to Conakry port, replacing
the customs police who had taken part in the strike and shut down the port
for 2 days.
The port is operational and Custom offices are open.
However with grievances not being addressed there is potential for further
action.
Guinea New Protests Break Out - Port Road Blocked / Customs On
Strike - 16/06/2008
After a few weeks of calm it is now the turn of the police in Guinea who are
now demanding payment of salary arrears.
They have taken the police chief [Sekou Mohamed Bangoura] hostage, been shooting
and have blocked a road to the main port of Conakry.
Elite soldiers have been employed to disarm police groups. Negotiations are
also under way to try to settle the dispute.
All this only days after the authorities settled a pay mutiny in the army last
Friday [13/06/08].
The Customs office has also joined in with the strike. As a
result the customs office is closed and the port is not fully operational.
Container vessels are allowed to dock, discharge and sail for the moment
but obviously with the road blocked and Customs on strike clearance is minimal.
Rio Tinto Undertakes Pre-Feasibility Study For Rail System
And Deep Water Port- 13/05/08
Rio Tinto [www.riotinto.com] is planning to produce more than 350 million
tpy of iron ore by 2012, and plans
to increase capacity to 630 million tpy in the long term. To achieve this,
Rio Tinto will largely focus [amongst
others] on expansions in its Simandou mine in Guinea [www.riotintosimandou.com].
The pre-feasibility study
will also focus on the need for a 700km rail system and deep water port south
of Conakry. In 2007 Rio Tinto
approved funding of US$145 million for pre-feasibility studies.
David Smith, previously head of Rio’s Pilbara operations, is now heading
up the project in Guinea, with a
staff of 850 employees and contractors. [MetalBulletin 13/05/08]
BIVAC/Bureau Veritas New Pre-Shipment Inspection & Scanning
Inspection Contract - 08/05/08
The Government Services & International Trade Division of Bureau Veritas
has been awarded by the
Government of Guinea Conakry a new exclusive Pre-Shipment & Scanning Inspection
Contract and X-Ray
scanning at destination. This programme was launched on 05/05/08, with a double
objective:
Pre-Shipment Inspection of imported goods
Supply and operation with training of X-Ray scanning equipment at Conakry
airport and land
borders [at Siguiri and Koundara].
The inclusion of scanners in Guinea’s
customs control system, combined with a risk analysis program,
augurs for the Guinean Authorities an era of modernisation in the fight against
fraud and insecurity within the
framework of Trade Facilitation.
For all other enquiries regarding these regulations please refer to your local Bivac
office [BIVAC 08/05/08]
Guinea pays troops in bid to end mutiny - Office opens - 02/06/08
Please note that our office in Conakry, Guinea is closed as a result of a rebellion in the army.
Guinea began paying salary arrears to junior soldiers over the weekend in an attempt to end a five-day mutiny that had
brought instability to the country Calm has returned to the Conakry and our office is now open. The mutineers looted shops
and have broken into many warehouses so it will be some time before things return to normal.
The local agent is working on discharging container units still at the port. There is a backlog due to these recent
events.
Guinea Coup Attempt - Office Closed - 30/05/08
Please note that our office in Conakry, Guinea is closed as a result of a rebellion
in the army.
Background
Troops loyal to Guinean President
Lansana Conte have deployed tanks in the Conakry on Thursday after
confronting
mutinous young soldiers
demanding the dismissal of the country's top military chiefs. Yesterday
Conte's presidential guard and the mutineers battled at the strategic
November 8 bridge in Conakry, which commands the entrance to the
city centre.
Soldiers also burst into the international airport forcing a US.military
plane that was trying to offload diplomatic supplies to leave
again a move the US has deemed a breach of diplomatic protocol.
Several people, mostly civilians, have been killed and dozens
hurt by stray bullets in Conakry and other towns since Monday.
The new Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Souare has quickly granted
the mutineers' demands for wage arrears to be paid and for
the defence
minister to be sacked. But since then the rebels have demanded
that the heads of the army, navy and air force also be dismissed,
accusing
them of corruption and of stealing their salaries and food
supplies. [President Conte named Souare last week to replace
a consensus
premier appointed last year under a deal to end a strike
and bloody anti-government
riots in which some 130 people were killed and which disrupted
shipments of the aluminium ore bauxite.]
Port Authority Yet to Give Green Light for Expansion
Work -
09/04/08
Société des Bauxites de Dabola-Tougué [SBDT], owned 51%
by Iranian interests and 49% by the
government of Guinea, is to hold its annual board meeting this month in Düsseldorf
and is due to examine
tender offers for the port’s export plans. Following studies carried out
by the engineering consultancy NIPEC,
the conclusion reached was that the east zone of the Port Autonome de Conakry
[PAC] required a quay
extension and dredging should take place in order to receive larger tonnage vessels
particularly for the
carriage of minerals. The Director General of the port has hesitate in the signing
of the draft-agreement
necessary to start the project. To try to accelerate the process, the Minister
for Mines Ahmed Kanté has
issued a letter to the Minister for Transport on 31/03/08. [AMI 09/04/08]
Conakry Port Operations -
01/03/08
An invitation for tender will be issued soon for the extension of the container
terminal. The project will cover the
design, finance, construction and management of a new container terminal.
It has been note that since the implementation of the new Sydonia +++ system,
customers are facing delays in the
delivery time of their goods. [Local Agent March 2008]
New Customs Procedure Guinea - 24/01/08
We have received an official letter from the national Customs office
in Conakry. Please click
here to view.
Dated 21/01/08 it relates to the
completion of manifests. With immediate effect:
There will be no acceptance of vague terms such as ‘general goods’ or ‘miscellaneous
goods’ as a description of cargo type. All manifests and bills
of lading should clearly mention the type and weight of the goods.
For transit cargo the manifest and bill of lading must clearly be labelled ‘cargo
in transit’
The full postal address of the final receiver and the shipper must
appear on all manifests and bills of lading.
The captain of the vessel must provide a paper manifest on arrival
to the ‘Brigade Maritime’ for clearance and an additional
copy must be given to the ‘Cellule de Gestion des Manifestes’ at
least 48hrs after the arrival of the vessel in order to cross check
all electronic databases.
For export cargo: Within 48hrs after the departure of the vessel, a
copy of the manifest must be given to the ‘Brigade Maritime’ in
order to cross check the loading list.
Guinea Reaffirms To Strengthen Bilateral Relations
With Angola - 25/08/07
The Guinean government wants to strengthen bilateral relations with
Angola, particularly in the economic sector. Guinean President Lansana
Conte met with Angolan ambassador to Guinea, Brito Sozinho, saying
that the two countries should work towards the development and deepening
of mutual relationship in various domains. [Xinhua 25/08/07]
Government Withdraws Bauxite Deals Centering
On Rail & Port
Infrastructure - 16/04/07
The Guinea Government is withdrawing agreements made with American
oil company Hyperdynamics and Compagnie de Bauxite de Kindia [CBK],
a local bauxite company run by Russian aluminium giant RUSAL as part
of a planned review of minerals contracts. They were the first foreign
companies in Guinea to be affected by a review of all mining and minerals
contracts announced by the new government, which was appointed last
month to end a violent general strike. A source stated the objections
to the deal with CBK centered on the terms of the company's exploitation
of the Kindia bauxite deposits and its use of the railway and port
infrastructure related to the project. The government felt the Guinean
state was not benefiting enough from these aspects of the Kindia contract.
[Reuters 16/04/07]
Guinean Government Propose Third Harbour -
14/05/07
Due to the increasing handling volume in the port of Conakry an extension
of the handling facilities has become necessary. The first phase
embraces the extension of the existing container terminal by constructing
a 225m long quay as heavy load wall and the development of a container
storage area (approx. 9.5 ha).
All necessary infrastructure measures such as electricity and water
supply, rain water drainage, slope protection and road construction
are included. Beside the required port structures, also the improvement
of safety installations (e.g. fire fighting facilities, fighting of
oil mishaps, handling of dangerous goods etc.) is planned.
For this reason a feasibility study has been elaborated, which includes
beside the assessment of present cargo handling capacity in the port
and proposals for improvements, also analyses of sedimentation in the
harbour basin and the approach channel, investigation of traffic flows
in the port and town area, an expert opinion on environmental compatibility
and the operational and socio-economic investigations. In a second
phase it is intended to develop tidelands (approx. 30 ha) in the eastern
harbour area as storage zone and to construct an approx. 250m long
quay for unit load vessels.
Kamsar Port Development - 14/05/07
BHP Billiton [www.bhpbilliton.com] has acquired 33.3% interest in Global
Alumina’s Sangaredi Refinery Project in Guinea, for US$140 million.
The proposed refinery site is approximately 100km inland from Kamsar
[450km from Conakry] and has the benefit of access to existing rail
infrastructure linking it to the Port of Kamsar, where dedicated facilities
are already under construction. The company has already commenced work
on a new jetty and terminal facility at Kamsar port, the construction
of a bridge, and access reinforcement in order to direct vessels to
Kamsar instead of the port of Conakry. [Local Agent 14/05/07]
Containers To Be Inspected By New Commission - 15/05/07
A new procedure means that all export containers will be opened to
check there is no prohibited merchandise inside. A new commission
set up by customs, police and the harbour master’s office
will enforce the new system. For full background material on this
please click here
Guinea Under Curfew - 03/03/07
Unions in Guinea resumed a general strike on 12/02/07 to protest against
the President’s choice of a close ally, Eugene Camara, as prime
minister. Guinea's President Lansana Conte has declared a "state
of siege" and told the army to restore public order, after days
of violent protests. For the second time in a month, markets, shops,
schools, banks and administration offices are closed in Conakry and
other towns around the country. The port is also closed and airlines
have suspended services to Guinea.
A curfew originally from 2000 hrs to
1600 hrs was reduced on 18/02/07 to 1800 hrs to 0600 hrs. In a television
address on 12/02/07, President
Conte said martial law would continue until February 23rd. Conte has
told the military to “take all necessary measures” to restore
order. Sporadic gunfire and trucks full of soldiers patrol the capital,
Conakry. The town has been empty like a ghost town but generally the
situation is much calmer and some Expats have returned to their offices
for the first time.
Guinea Curfew Reduced/ Port Re-Opens - 19/02/07
A curfew originally from 2000 hrs to 1600 hrs has been reduced on 18/02/07
to 1800 hrs to 0600 hrs. In a television address on 12/02/07, President
Conte said martial law would continue until February 23rd. Conte
has told the military to “take all necessary measures” to
restore order. Sporadic gunfire and trucks full of soldiers patrol
the capital, Conakry. The town has been empty like a ghost town but
generally the situation is much calmer and some Expats have returned
to their offices for the first time.
Now that the curfew has been improved,
it is hoped this will be sufficient to encourage the unions to
return to the negotiating table. EU and
Ecowas diplomats are involved in official and unofficial talks. Local
observers are hoping there might be a solution soon, perhaps by the
end of this week. This would enable the labour force to return to
work. Only then will shipping agencies, forwarders and trucking companies
be able to start to return to work. The port is open now but there
is heavy congestion and a backlog of containers.
Guinea Curfew / Port Closed - 14/02/07
Guinea's President Lansana Conte has declared a "state of siege" and
told the army to restore public order, after days of violent protests.
A 20hr curfew is now in place, lifted only between 4pm and 8pm. Unions
in Guinea resumed a general strike on 12/02/07 to protest against the
President's choice of a close ally, Eugene Camara, as prime minister.
Gunfire has been heard near army barracks in the capital, Conakry,
and soldiers are preventing people from reaching the city centre. For
the second time in a month, markets, shops, schools, banks and administration
offices were closed in the capital Conakry and other towns around the
country. The port is closed and airlines have suspended services to
Guinea.
Guinea Suspends All Agricultural, Forest & Petroleum
Exports - 31/0/07
Please note that the Republic of Guinea have issued a directive [Ref:
A/032/MAEFF/MPA/MCIPME/SGG] dated 29/01/07 stating that all agricultural,
forest & petroleum exports from Guinea are to cease from now till
the end of December 2007.
This includes agricultural raw materials such as cereals, tubers, forest
products such as logs and timber, cattle products such as meat & horns,
fish products and petroleum products.
Guinea Strike Ends - 31/0/07
Guinean unions have called off the general strike as President Lansana
Conte agreed to cede some powers to a prime minister who would head
the government. No-one has yet been named for the position. The deal
reached also provided for a lowering of fuel and rice prices. A backlog
of containers can now be cleared from the port of Conakry.
National Strike In Conakry - 22/01/07
The crippling national strike is now in its
13th day. Negotiations between the unions and the President appear
deadlocked.
President Lansana Conte is calling on the population and the army
to remain united behind him after days of violent protests against
his rule. Mr Conte has
faced calls to step down from unions* over his handling
of the economy and because of his poor health [a reclusive
in his 70s]. Conte seized power in Guinea in a 1984 coup and the strike
poses the
toughest challenge yet to his 23-year rule, threatening
to throw the former French colony into turmoil. There is no obvious successor
and
a fractious military. [* the two largest labour unions
backed by 14 opposition parties]
The ruling party called the protests an attempt to seize power. "These
are not union demands but political demands. It is an attempted
civilian coup d'etat," said Sekou Konate, secretary-general
of Conte's Party of Unity and Progress (PUP).
President Lansana Conte dismissed his right-hand man. Conte replaced
Fode Bangoura, minister in charge of presidential affairs
and a powerful member of his ethnic Sousou clique, with Planning
Minister Eugene Camara,
seen as a moderate member of his government & weak
by many.
West African heads of state voted at a meeting
of the regional body ECOWAS on Friday to send a high-level
commission to Guinea
to urge negotiations between the unions and the government. Senegalese
President Abdoulaye Wade and Nigeria's Olusegun Obasanjo both volunteered
to head the delegation.
Unrest is widespread. Several people have been killed
by security forces firing on protesters. Hundreds of people are said
to have
been arrested since the strike began.
Food prices are said to have risen sharply
in Conakry, with shortages of staple foods including rice and bread.
Guinea
is the world's biggest exporter of bauxite. The strike has halted
trains carrying bauxite for export to the port of Conakry & Kamsar.
Port
Operations
Vessels are calling normally in Conakry. The
port is functioning however consignees have not been able to pick
up their containers for 2 weeks.
Eventually we may experience problems with congestion at the
quay if these import containers are not collected and vessels will
be unable
to discharge - we will keep you posted. Exports are very reduced.
For the time being calls are continuing without significant delays.
For
more information on the strike, you can find them on following
web site: www.boubah.com or www.aminata.com
Kuwaiti Fund Supports Guinea-Senegal
Road Project- 22/01/07
The Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Development has granted Guinea US$17 million-loan
for the construction of a 385-km road linking Labé in Guinea
to Madina Gounass in Senegal, according to official sources. The
loan agreement was signed 20/01/07 by the Guinean Finance Minister
Mady Kaba Camara, and the Fund`s deputy Manager Ahmad Al Omar.
The road project seeks to improve transportation and the exchange
of
goods and services between the two countries. [APA 22/01/07]
