Guinea
Type of Government: Republic
Independence: 1958 from France
Head of State: President Lansana Conte (since April 5, 1984)
2007/2008 UN Development Index ranking (out of 177 countries): 160
2007 TI Corruption Perception Index (out of 179): 168
Political Development: Guinea has had only two presidents since gaining its independence from France in 1958. Lansana Conte came to power in 1984 when the military seized the government after the death of the first president, Sekou Toure. Guinea did not hold democratic elections until 1993 when Gen. Conte (head of the military government) was elected president of the civilian government. He was reelected in 1998 and again in 2003. Guinea has maintained its internal stability despite spillover effects from conflict in Sierra Leone and Liberia. As those countries have rebuilt, Guinea’s own vulnerability to political and economic crisis has increased. In 2006, declining economic conditions and popular dissatisfaction with corruption and bad governance prompted two massive strikes that sparked urban unrest in many Guinean cities.
Adult HIV Rate: 3.2%
Life Expectancy: 49.65
GDP: $3.744 billion
Inflation: 30%
Poverty: 47%
Petroleum: N/A
Leading Export Partner: Russia (11.7%)
Economic Note: Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, yet remains an underdeveloped nation. The country has almost half of the world’s bauxite reserves and is the second-largest bauxite producer. The mining sector accounts for over 70% of exports. Investor confidence has been sapped by rampant corruption, a lack of electricity and other infrastructure, a lack of skilled workers, and the political uncertainty. Dissatisfaction with economic conditions prompted nationwide strikes in February and June 2006.
