Guinea's unrest shuts down the mines |
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Wed, 24 Jan 2007 14:07
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CONAKRY (AFX) - Mining production in Guinea, the state's top revenue earner, has practically stopped since late last week because of a strike and protests over President Lansana Conte's rule launched on Jan 10, said a union official.Guinea is the world's leading exporter of bauxite, an ore from which aluminium is produced. Copper, gold and diamond are also exploited in the west African country, where 44 people have been killed in a crackdown on political protests since the strike started.'At the beginning of the strike, a minimum service was authorised in the mining sector, but we have called on all workers in the sector to stop work since January 19,' said El Hadj Mamadou Ba Soumah, secretary general of the Professional Federation of Mines, Quarries and the Chemical Industries of Guinea, which represents two-thirds of employees in the sector.The protest, organised by powerful labour unions and backed by 14 opposition parties, began over corruption and interference in the judiciary by Conte after he freed two associates facing trial for embezzlement.Strike leaders then demanded that Conte, who has been in power since 1984, be constitutionally removed by the Supreme Court on the grounds that he is too unwell to hold office.newsdesk@afxnews.comafp/twCOPYRIGHTCopyright AFX News Limited 2006. All rights reserved.The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.AFX News and AFX Financial News Logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited
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