Guinea's coup leader and self-proclaimed president Moussa Dadis Camara vowed Saturday to tackle corruption and renegotiate mining contracts when he addressed a public meeting, according to agencies' reports.
"We have blocked the mining sector. There will be a renegotiation of contracts," he was quoted as saying.
With an area of 245,857 square km and a population of 9.56 million, the West African country is known for its rich mineral deposits, especially bauxite which accounts for half of the world's total reserves. The country, however, remains one of the poorest in the world.
Rampant corruption has been blamed for the poverty of the resource-rich country.
The military junta led by Camara launched a coup Tuesday after the death of President Lansana Conte, who had ruled the country for 24 years.
The coup leader declared no intention of running for the presidency in December 2010, which is set by the military junta.
Camara seemed in triumph when Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Souare led his team of government to the Alpha Yaya Diallo barracks on Thursday, surrendering to Camara after days of resistance.
But the military junta is facing uncertainties from the international community.
On Thursday, France expressed concerns about the situation in Guinea, urging a rapid return to the normal functioning of institutions in the country.
The European Union, through its presidency France, demanded the organization of a "democratic and transparent election" in the " first quarter of 2009," instead of a vote in December 2010, as promised by the military junta.
The United States has threatened to suspend its financial aid to Guinea if the military junta refuses to restore the democratic system in the country.
The junta is also being shunned by the Economic Community of the West African States, the African Union and the United Nations.
Guinea won independence from France in 1958. It borders Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and Mali in the north, Cote d'Ivoire in the east, Sierra Leone and Liberia in the south and the Atlantic Ocean in the west.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article