Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – "We want to accompany Guinea in its transition to full democracy" said Mario Giro, Director for International Relations of the Sant'Egidio Community, at the signing ceremony of the “Appeal of Rome for the Future of Guinea.”
The document was signed today, May 28, in Rome at the headquarters of the Community of Sant'Egidio, by El Hadj Mamadou Saliou Sylla, Second Vice-President of the National Transition Council, and 20 representatives of political parties and civil society of the Republic of Guinea. This agreement provides guarantees for the proper conduct of presidential elections on June 27.
The agreement commits the signatories to conducting "an election in a peaceful atmosphere, according to proper dialogue, avoiding all forms of violence of any kind which may impede the free expression of political ideas or induce a spirit of division in society," and rejecting "all forms of propaganda that incite violence, hatred, and confrontation among religions or ethnicities."
Vice-President Sylla expressed confidence about the future of democracy in Guinea, because "Guinea is thirsting for democracy. This is what makes me confident in the success of the elections. We have a society thirsting for democracy, particularly the young people who use new media and are able to observe what happens in the world. Today, we cannot leave an entire people in ignorance."
The National Transition Council, established February 9, 2010, is the Interim Parliament of Guinea, Parliament having been dissolved in December 2008 by the military junta that took power after the death of President Lansana Conté. Its task is to prepare the constitutional and legislative reforms prior to elections on June 27. Also participating in the constitutional debate are members of civil society and the diaspora living abroad, thanks to the use of the Internet.
"Civil society has an irreplaceable role in mending the crisis in our country," Fides was told in an interview with Guilao Josephine Lenaud, Vice-President of the Economic and Social Council. "One of the most important tasks of civil society is to make people understand that the people of Guinea do not want to fall into the trap of manipulation of ethnic divisions or of any other type."
"There are differences among the different areas of Guinea, but civil society is united and wants peace. However, we need the help of the international community to form new generations," concluded Ms. Lenaud. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 28/05/2010)
