President Conté reshuffled cabinet, appointing loyal allies, and cancelled planned medical trip to Switzerland. Social unrest continued as government’s announcement of petrol price hike led unions to call for general strike early June.

Power struggle emerging within ailing President Lansana Conté’s cabinet. State radio announced cabinet reshuffle 5 April granting PM Cellou Diallo and associates greater power; broadcast cut off by presidential guard. Decree rescinded and PM Diallo sacked next day.

President Conté temporarily evacuated to Switzerland mid-month for medical treatment. Amidst coup fears, opposition parties proposed establishing transitional government with international support. Trade union general strike that crippled Conakry ended early March after government reached agreement with civil servants; spurred National Consultation with civil society and opposition.

Unions representing 80% of all workers called 5- day general strike 27 February to demand wage increases. Protests held in Guekedou against appointment of mayor belonging to ruling PUP party, which won disputed electoral victory in December; 2 killed in clashes with police.

Union of Progress and Renewal, only opposition party in parliament, announced withdrawal from legislature in protest of December municipal elections it described as “electoral robbery”.

Low turnout in 18 December municipal elections. Ruling Party for Unity and Progress maintained dominance with 31 of 38 mayorships, 241 of 303 community councils; opposition alleged fraud and detention of more than 50 supporters during clashes with security forces. Observers said poll essentially peaceful and orderly despite isolated incidents and procedural problems.

Chief editor of weekly newspaper arrested for “defamatory” article about PM Diallo. President Conte retired 2,000 soldiers including head of Armed Forces. Police and students clashed in protests over economic depression. Security forces killed 3 during protest over education in Telimele 24 November.

Army imposed curfew after clashes between Muslim Konianke and Christian Guerze in Nzerekote; 100  arrested. Government set municipal elections for 18 December, first in decade; opposition said would participate. President Conte adopted law for first-ever electoral commission

Instability persisted as opposition Front Républicain pour l’Alternance Démocratique alliance called for President Conté’s resignation in favour of government of national unity.

Former PM Lamine Sidime named president of Supreme Court. President Conte finally signed law opening radio and television to private stations.