Point on Africa

Everyone is congratulating Guinea for holding the first presidential elections ever in the West African nation. But it goes past the elections being a first - the process was orderly and peaceful thanks to none other than the military. Actually many countries among the existing democracies in Africa can only wish for such a flawless exercise. They indeed could do with lessons from a first-timer this time round.

Guinea’s leadership history is that of a sorry oscillation between civilian and military dictators, since gaining independence from France in 1958. When the current military ruler, Moussa 'Dadis' Camara, took over leadership in a coup d'etat, he promised to work hard and fast towards having democracy in Guinea. Well, as was expected, given similar empty promises by military rulers before, many were skeptical of Camara’s words. Many more even, when he was shot by an aide in December 2009, and was forced into exile.

The measures taken by his deputy to appoint a civilian prime minister and transitional council, have however given credibility and hope to Guinea’s political and so economic future. This dedication saw successful and quick planning of elections that were held last Sunday. Of importance is that even Guineans in the diaspora were able to vote.

Cherry on top: the military has declared that whoever wins will be the actual winner. Indeed reports indicated that there was no interference by the soldiers and that the process on Sunday was peaceful, organized and got a clean bill of health from election observers.

As the election outcome is awaited, it is my hope and prayer that this exercise will herald a new era for the 10 million people country; an era that will see an accelerated improvement of the well being of Guineans and also bring with it the good of democracy. 

The soldiers deserve great commendation for doing the unexpected; an evidence of sensible leadership by the current military generals. I’m pretty sure that a few months ago, only a few envisaged this for Guinea. As one journalist from Al Jazeera put it, "For the first time in Guinea's history, the military has been called upon to act as guardians of democracy rather than suppressors of the people,"

Long live Guinea!