President Conté 20 May sacked Feb 2007 peace deal PM Kouyaté, after months-long efforts to marginalise rival: prompted protests in Conakry and Kouroussa. Conté ally ex-minister Souaré appointed PM. Military wage protests started 26 May, spread to 3 major camps; 2 reported killed, 101 injured. Conté reportedly in hiding, though tensions eased 31 May following payments to soldiers ahead of meeting 1 June.

Trade unions cancelled strike planned end March over living costs, cited positive efforts to redress concerns by “oversight committee” monitoring Jan 2007 peace accord – reports many feared repeat of Jan 07 strike crackdown. Govt 1 Apr announced end to fuel subsidies; price rises over month prompted oil, staple goods export ban 15 Apr. Peace accord “follow-up committee” stalled when business representatives withdrew late Apr, protesting slight by President Conté. Power struggle between Conté and PM Kouyate continued as Conté annulled PM decisions on Libyan investment, ceremonial reading 4, 19 Apr. UNDP appointed mediator and ex-Haitian PM Latortue urged reassessment of Jan accords to avoid return to conflict, after first mission completed 11 Apr.

Former Haitian PM Latortue to mediate between President Conté, civil society leaders amid growing frustration over living costs, service delivery. Protesters blocked roads, attacked expat houses 11 March following power outages. Conté selected ally Tibou Kamara to head national media body in move seen as further attempt to isolate PM Kouyaté.

Government and electoral commission 12 Feb announced legislative elections to be held between 23 Nov-14 Dec 2008, stating provisional June target impossible to meet. President Conté appointed Ousmane Souaré new government spokesperson 11 Feb after Justin Morel fired 4 Jan amid continued concerns Conté retaking control from consensus PM Kouyaté. Finance minister Saidou Diallo 12 Feb presented audit stating $47.25m in government spending unaccounted for under previous administration. Growing frustration with water and electricity supplies sparked demonstrations in Conakry suburb 19 Feb, forcefully suppressed by police.

National strike called for early Jan, postponed to 31 Mar pending outcome of talks on President Lansana Conté’s backtracking on reforms agreed after Jan 2007 violence. Conté accused of retaking control of key functions from consensus PM Lansana Kouyaté, including sacking of communications minister Justin Morel 4 Jan.

25 members of new electoral commission (CENI) sworn in 6 December. Sekou Ben Sylla elected chair. President Conté signed 5 December decree defining attributions and organisation of governmental offices; concerns raised about effect on authority of PM Kouyate.

Uncertainty over election date continued as PM Lansana Kouyaté said reaching December deadline would be “difficult”. Former PM Cellou Dalein Diallo sworn in as leader of opposition Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG), 15 November. Planned investigation into alleged abuses by security forces during January protests stalled as lawyers withdrew from commission of inquiry.

First National Assembly address by PM Kouyaté 11 October set out program ahead of elections now likely first quarter 2008; met political party leaders 12 October to discuss electoral preparations. Still no functioning electoral commission after opposition delays in agreeing common list of candidates.

Government and political parties met 6 September to finalise details of new electoral commission, CENI. Entity to comprise all political parties, representatives of civil society and presidential nominees. Parliamentary elections due December likely to be postponed to March because of delays in establishment of CENI and need for revision of electoral lists.

Military set 8 September deadline for overdue salary payments: issue unresolved since May military-led riots in Conakry left 2 dead. Interior and Security Minister Mamadou Beau Keita 14 August said legislative elections will go ahead December as scheduled. Yet preparations lag and opposition leaders expressed doubts over PM Lansana Kouyaté’s commitment to free vote. ECOWAS bank applauded government reform efforts, approved $28.5m infrastructure loan.