journal entries during strike drama
background:
there was a general strike in february/march that started with contracted teachers and spread to basically everyone, not only government workers but even taxi drivers and store owners. in the bigger towns, life stopped. you could not go anywhere or buy anything. in the villages, life went on mostly as usual except that you couldn't travel. the strike ended with government promises to double salaries.
then in early june, another strike. the government did not double the salaries, and so the teachers union started the whole thing over again. planned to go general on Monday the 5th, it finally did start on Thursday the 8th and went on for 10? days (or so). because end-of-year tests and etc. were not happening, there were student riots in Conakry and the major cities. gendarmes (police) shot into crowds of protesters, killing about 20. over Friday the 16th, with promises (again) of doubled salaries as well as prince controls on gasoline and rice.
June 5
Heard from Rachel that we were on "stand fast" for the duration of the strike, which was supposed to go general today. Tried to radio but no luck. Sometimes I feel as though I'm watching a revolution develop from the inside. Spiraling inflation and civil unrest, frequent turnovers of top government officials. I hope that is the case, that dissatisfaction will lead to some kind of action here rather than continued paralysis.
June 14
Monday night the BBC was saying that at least ten people had been killed in student riots in Conakry. On the radio Ousmane said that 10-14 in Conakry and 4 in Labe. How awful is it that my first emotion was a little thrill of excitement and adrenaline? Even knowing that it is ridiculous, immature and unfeeling to see this situation as romantic or exciting, I can't totally suppress that reaction. Tuesday night the BBC said 17 dead in Conakry but a few stores open again. Today Ousmane says that it seems to be calming down. I only hope that all momentum for change is not lost.
June 17
Mixed reports on the strike -- the principal of the college says it's over while Boubakar insists that it isn't. Not having successfully radio-ed since Wednesday I'm out of the loop. A teacher/photographer gave me the impression that the government has offered concessions but not to be delivered until July 1. This stinks of empty promises made only to get the tests out of the way, so maybe the teachers will not accept? So far the BBC isn't helping me out...
June 18
At least two people said to me yesterday that if this strike is not settled it will mean a civil war. Obviously that is a bit exaggerated, but eventually if this doesn't work I suppose it will lead to more and more violent protests. But their words, "civil war," stopped me cold. Is that what Guinea is headed for? I've always thought of revolution, the people against the established power. Is that all they mean, a war within the country? To me, a civil war means different groups within the population struggling against each other, most likely exploited and set against each other by various power-hungry leaders. Are there groups that could be used like that in Guinea? At first glance, no. Guineans as a rule are peaceful and forgiving. The largest ethnic groups are so inter-mixed and tolerant of each other. But on closer inspection, maybe it is possible. There are old tensions and resentments far below the surface, mostly between the Peuls and all the other peoples that they pushed out, killed, or forcibly converted to Islam. But are they any more culpable than other groups, who probably did the same thing longer ago? Or are they just the most recent conquerers? (outside of the French)
update: all is calm. couldn't say if that is good or not or if it will stay that way. exams were re-scheduled and happened last week, so at least students are happy.
there was a general strike in february/march that started with contracted teachers and spread to basically everyone, not only government workers but even taxi drivers and store owners. in the bigger towns, life stopped. you could not go anywhere or buy anything. in the villages, life went on mostly as usual except that you couldn't travel. the strike ended with government promises to double salaries.
then in early june, another strike. the government did not double the salaries, and so the teachers union started the whole thing over again. planned to go general on Monday the 5th, it finally did start on Thursday the 8th and went on for 10? days (or so). because end-of-year tests and etc. were not happening, there were student riots in Conakry and the major cities. gendarmes (police) shot into crowds of protesters, killing about 20. over Friday the 16th, with promises (again) of doubled salaries as well as prince controls on gasoline and rice.
June 5
Heard from Rachel that we were on "stand fast" for the duration of the strike, which was supposed to go general today. Tried to radio but no luck. Sometimes I feel as though I'm watching a revolution develop from the inside. Spiraling inflation and civil unrest, frequent turnovers of top government officials. I hope that is the case, that dissatisfaction will lead to some kind of action here rather than continued paralysis.
June 14
Monday night the BBC was saying that at least ten people had been killed in student riots in Conakry. On the radio Ousmane said that 10-14 in Conakry and 4 in Labe. How awful is it that my first emotion was a little thrill of excitement and adrenaline? Even knowing that it is ridiculous, immature and unfeeling to see this situation as romantic or exciting, I can't totally suppress that reaction. Tuesday night the BBC said 17 dead in Conakry but a few stores open again. Today Ousmane says that it seems to be calming down. I only hope that all momentum for change is not lost.
June 17
Mixed reports on the strike -- the principal of the college says it's over while Boubakar insists that it isn't. Not having successfully radio-ed since Wednesday I'm out of the loop. A teacher/photographer gave me the impression that the government has offered concessions but not to be delivered until July 1. This stinks of empty promises made only to get the tests out of the way, so maybe the teachers will not accept? So far the BBC isn't helping me out...
June 18
At least two people said to me yesterday that if this strike is not settled it will mean a civil war. Obviously that is a bit exaggerated, but eventually if this doesn't work I suppose it will lead to more and more violent protests. But their words, "civil war," stopped me cold. Is that what Guinea is headed for? I've always thought of revolution, the people against the established power. Is that all they mean, a war within the country? To me, a civil war means different groups within the population struggling against each other, most likely exploited and set against each other by various power-hungry leaders. Are there groups that could be used like that in Guinea? At first glance, no. Guineans as a rule are peaceful and forgiving. The largest ethnic groups are so inter-mixed and tolerant of each other. But on closer inspection, maybe it is possible. There are old tensions and resentments far below the surface, mostly between the Peuls and all the other peoples that they pushed out, killed, or forcibly converted to Islam. But are they any more culpable than other groups, who probably did the same thing longer ago? Or are they just the most recent conquerers? (outside of the French)
update: all is calm. couldn't say if that is good or not or if it will stay that way. exams were re-scheduled and happened last week, so at least students are happy.
posted by amandab at 4:40 AM
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