![[Guinea] President Lansana Conte's supporters line the streets to welcome him back after medical treatement in Switzerland Enter Image description here. [Date picture taken: 03/25/2006]](https://assets.thenewhumanitarian.org/s3fs-public/styles/responsive_large_2x/public/images/20063240.jpg.webp?itok=JG8WqPIp "Women supporters line the streets of Conakry for Conte's return")
Ailing Guinean President Lansana Conte returned home late on Thursday after a weeklong stay in Switzerland for a new medical check-up, state television announced.
The 72-year-old head of state flew home after dusk following his second medical check-up in Switzerland in less than six months.
Unlike his last homecoming in March, there were no crowds lining the streets to welcome him. But an official who asked not to be identified said the low-key return bore no relation to his state of health and that Conte was well and ready to resume his duties.
“It’s because he arrived here at night and it was raining that people did not come out to welcome him,” he said.
Last March, the president’s sudden and unannounced departure for Geneva had raised a swirl of apprehension. But this time around, the government announced his departure last Friday on public radio and television.
Conte, a former soldier who seized power in a coup in 1984, suffers from chronic diabetes and other ailments. Many analysts fear the country could fall apart in the event of his death due to a power vacuum.
Despite vast natural resources, Guinea is one of the world’s poorest countries, with about 54 percent of the population living below the poverty line.
Grinding poverty triggered two general strikes this year, the last of which lasted nine days in June, halting most economic activity and leading to serious clashes between students and police in which a score of people died. Strikers demanded and obtained public sector wage rises as well as help in pushing down rice, transport and fuel prices.
as/ccr/cs
The 72-year-old head of state flew home after dusk following his second medical check-up in Switzerland in less than six months.
Unlike his last homecoming in March, there were no crowds lining the streets to welcome him. But an official who asked not to be identified said the low-key return bore no relation to his state of health and that Conte was well and ready to resume his duties.
“It’s because he arrived here at night and it was raining that people did not come out to welcome him,” he said.
Last March, the president’s sudden and unannounced departure for Geneva had raised a swirl of apprehension. But this time around, the government announced his departure last Friday on public radio and television.
Conte, a former soldier who seized power in a coup in 1984, suffers from chronic diabetes and other ailments. Many analysts fear the country could fall apart in the event of his death due to a power vacuum.
Despite vast natural resources, Guinea is one of the world’s poorest countries, with about 54 percent of the population living below the poverty line.
Grinding poverty triggered two general strikes this year, the last of which lasted nine days in June, halting most economic activity and leading to serious clashes between students and police in which a score of people died. Strikers demanded and obtained public sector wage rises as well as help in pushing down rice, transport and fuel prices.
as/ccr/cs
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
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