Interview with Interior Minister Kiridi Bangoura

Interior Minister Kiridi Bangoura talks to IRIN about recent political and economic reforms in Guinea and relations with donors. Q: Were the local elections last December, in your opinion, a success for Guinea, regarding relations with the international community? A: Yes, the elections really represented a big success for democracy in Guinea and for all the Guinea population because as they were local elections, it gave people an opportunity to decide on matters close to their own concerns for their freedoms and economic development. Therefore we consider that these peaceful elections, in their conduct and their transparency, mark an important step in the advancement of development of the country. Q: But it has been said that turnout for the polls was low… A: On average, turnout in rural areas was 73 percent and in towns 35 percent, which is universal, but perhaps given the transparency of the elections, the preparation of the elections, one can be embarrassed that in town it was only three people out of 10 that voted, but seven out of 10 voted in rural areas. Is that weak turnout, is that strong turnout? You be the judge. Q: How are current relations between the government of Guinea and the international community? A: I think that relations between Guinea and the international community are very good. We work with all the regional bodies and international bodies, including the African Union and the United Nations and we think also that current dialogue with the EU will conclude successfully as that dialogue has seen Guinea and the EU make commitments that this time have been respected. Q: Do you think that’s because the government has changed its position or image recently? A: I think that there have been two factors. There has been a new government since the 2003 presidential elections and there has also been, you must remember, the in-depth work and the introspection carried out by the government and the direction given by the president towards more democracy, to give more freedom, notably the liberalisation of the airwaves, the authorisation of private radios in the country and also equally I think that the dialogue enabled each to understand the other better. I think that the dialogue with the EU has enabled the EU to get to know Guinea better, her skills and her weaknesses - and like in other countries, work on them. Q: Some people describe you as the new face of the Guinea government, not least because you are young and open with the press giving interviews with people like myself. What would you say to that? A: [Laughs] I don’t think I am guilty of being young! Q: Well, relatively! A: It’s very flattering, but I have been active in high level public service for more than 10 years now, and I had responsible positions with international NGOs after I studied in France, and I think it is important to look at the capacity of the Guinean state these days to include young people in its functions. I think there are not enough young people in government. As someone who starts a process, I hope there will be more young people in the government. Q: But you are certainly from a different generation to the president… A: Certainly. I am from a different generation to most of the people who run the country today. I was born in 1963 and those that run the country were born between the 1940s and 1950s. In that respect, I bring the worries and experience of my generation but I have also taken onboard the experience of the administration of the state, and I think that bringing together the young and the not so young is in itself enriching. I also wish there were more and more younger people taking positions in the administration of the state. Q: Not now, but previously, Guinea had many shared borders with countries that were at war. There is Cote d’Ivoire at the moment, but previously there were Liberia and Sierra Leone. Has that created problems for Guinea? A: An enormous amount of problems. I think that explains our economic problem today and certain problems of security that we have seen in the past all come essentially from the endemic wars on our borders - for 10 years in Sierra Leone, for 15 years in Liberia. Those two conflicts have impinged on the budget of our country. It has taken all our strength to protect our territory and assure security. Also it has taken much effort to host refugees - one million at its peak - and it is very important to integrate that into the wider picture of Guinea’s problems. Q: The refugees are now starting to return to their respective countries, is that a good or bad thing for Guinea? A: It’s a very good thing. We are very happy and proud of the way our population hosted our Liberian and Sierra Leonean brothers and sisters, and we are very happy that they are able to return to their countries and help with the rebuilding of their respective countries and indirectly the rebuilding of Africa. We are happy that they are able to return safely to their country of origin. Q: But are there negative impacts for Guinea, because you have received a great deal of humanitarian assistance to help these refugees? A: But that humanitarian assistance was never used by the Guinea government nor the Guinean people. It was used exclusively, perhaps wrongly, but exclusively by the refugees. There was no assistance for the Guinean government in that period of 15 years - that is a weakness. There has been no budgetary support from the international community for the government of Guinea to compensate for the assistance we have given to the refugees. It’s our big regret. Q: But is it not true that there are some communities that have benefited a little? A: There are some health clinics and schools here and there, these are positive impacts, but that has not contributed to the development of Guinea. It is the internal efforts of Guinea that must be used to develop the country. To that effect, my ministry is currently working with the EU on a programme of reconstruction and rehabilitation with a budget of almost 25 million euros for the Forest Region and for all the regions of the country that took in refugees. Q: And for the country’s youth - what is the government doing to help them economically, to find work and opportunities for the future? A: I think that during the latest recruitment by the government for civil servants, of some 2,000 jobs 85 percent went to people under the age of 35. But it is the private sector that is the largest employer and with the macro-economic measures that we are currently implementing with the help of the World Bank and IMF the government proved it had particular concern for the country’s youth and will provide greater opportunities for youths and the rural population. It is easy to give that type of support in rural areas but more difficult in urban areas. However, the government counts on the international community to target specifically work opportunities for youths. Q: And as for the World Bank, is the government ready to sign a budgetary support agreement with them? A: Yes, everything is ready. There are no problems. The minister of economy and finance has given guarantees that the government is ready to sign a collaborative agreement with the World Bank and the IMF. Q: And when might that happen? A: We expect by March. Q: You have talked about access to information, but is there freedom of speech here in Guinea? A: Have you seen the array of newspapers that are available here in Guinea? There are many newspapers that speak freely and freely defend their opinions and their judgements, which are at times debatable. But also, and above all, there is also a decree, signed by the president, to liberalise the airwaves making it now possible for Guinea to have private radios and I was privileged to work as the president of the government commission that worked on the liberalisation of the airwaves. Q: But isn’t the registration cost very high, making it too difficult to establish a private radio station in Guinea? A: No, for the government the cost is very, very low. I think for [setting up a] radio it is 10 million Guinean francs and for television, 30 million Guinean francs, so for a radio that’s not even US $2,000. Q: But there aren’t many Guineans who have money like that. A: Ah, but across the world there aren’t many people who want to establish a private radio station! Is that not so? Everybody listens but not everybody wants to set one up! Q: And finally, outside of Guinea, the question of the president’s health is always the first question on everybody’s lips. How is the president’s health? A: For someone of his age, he is in good health. He is in good health. Q: And if he falls ill, or if he dies, as everyone must, will that create problems here in Guinea? A: There is no constitutional vacuum here in Guinea. Every eventuality is catered for in our constitution. Q: And you think that everyone will adhere to the constitution? A: If God gives the strength to Guinea to always follow the laws of the country, I think it will be followed whatever the circumstances. We have known 26 years of Marxist dictatorship, which has left its mark. This is a country that said no to France in ’58 - we are still paying for that. To read a recent economic report on Guinea, CLICK HERE