Government and politics

Politics of Guinea takes place in a framework of a presidential republic, whereby the President of Guinea is both head of state, head of government, and the commander in chief of the Guinean Military. The president is elected to a maximum of two 7 year terms, although the current Guinee Lansana Conte, who has been in power since 1984, continues to run for further terms. Executive power is exercised by the president and members of his cabinet. To be elected president of Guinea a candidate must be a Guinean born citizen by birth, be at least 35 years of age and must be able to speak and read the French language.

Legislative power is vested in the National Assembly. The National Assembly (Assemblée Nationale) has 114 members, elected for a four year term, 38 members in single-seat constituencies and 76 members by proportional representation. Guinea is a one party dominant state with the Party of Unity and Progress in power. Opposition parties are allowed, but are widely considered to have no real chance of gaining power.

Ahmed Tidiane Souare was appointed prime minister in May 2008.

He replaced Lansana Kouyate, a former UN diplomat who had been appointed by President Conte fifteen months earlier under a deal to end a general strike against the president’s rule.

Following his appointment, Mr Souare said he planned to continue changes begun by Mr Kouyate and “to restore authority to the state because we’re in a state of disarray.”

He is a member of President Conte’s Party of Unity and Progress and has previously served as minister of mines and geology and as minister of state for higher education and scientific research.