- Thursday has become yet another day of joy in the Guinean capital Conakry, where officials presided over the swearing in ceremony of the newly appointed Prime Minister, Lansana Kouyaté. Mr Kouyaté, a man with several years of diplomatic and administrative experience, was appointed by President Lansana Conté earlier this week.
He replaces Eugene Camara, whose appointment angered union and opposition leaders to ask Guineans to strike against what they called "a new provocation and betrayal" by President Conté. The new Premier was chosen among a shortlist of people proposed by unionists.
In his inaugural speech, Mr Kouyaté called on Guineans to make peace, reconcile and unite in nation building.
"I thank President Lansana Conté for choosing me among nine mission Guineans," he said. Mr Kouyaté was equally grateful to those who trusted and recommend him for the post, basically trade unions and the opposition.
The new PM asked Guineans to "lower their tones" and move fast to repair the damages caused by the 45-day long revolt, when several lives and properties were lost.
"We experienced turmoil and aguish," PM Kouyaté admitted. He said tensions are bound to occur here and there but that they must stop when the right time comes. According to him, all Guineans now have the possibilities to "improve the situation, which will accelerate nation building."
PM Kouyaté is assigned with steering the wheels of a unity government tasked with "consolidating national unity, safeguard peace and give back life to the almost dead economy" of the country.
He was appointed through a presidential decree, which consequently renounced Mr Camara from office. It followed shortly after the government and unions reached a deal through the mediation of an ECOWAS mission headed by the former Nigerian President, Ibrahima Babangida.
As PM, Mr Kouyaté heads the government with full political responsibility of the cabinet as well as implements state policies - all of which has been implemented by bed-ridden President Conté until now.
Mr Kouyaté said his first priority would be to build strong contacts with President Conté, social partners and politicians to put together a consensus government that will defend the economic, material and social needs of all Guineans without discrimination.
He said the content of the peace accord signed by the government and its partners - the opposition, civil society and union leaders - serves as a "road map for the Prime Minister. I will therefore strictly adhere to that."
The appointment of Mr Kouyaté will allow Guineans to quickly reap the benefits of peace and stability, as the United Nations Chief, Ban Ki-Moon yesterday called on the international community to "increase its economic cooperation with the new government of Guinea.
Already, the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has released US$ 2.35 million for urgent humanitarian activities as Mr Ban urged Guinea's infamous security forces to exercise maximum restraint and to scrupulously uphold the rule of law and respect for human rights while calling on labour leaders to refrain from inciting violence and the destruction of property.
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