Guinea Sacks Electricity Chief, Laye Sekou After Protest Over Power Outage

Guinea has dismissed the head of its national electricity company, following a series of power outages that led to deadly protests in the country under military rule.

Laye Sekou Camara, who led the Electricity in Guinea (EDG), along with his two deputies, Fode Soumah and Abdoulaye Kone, were relieved of their duties through a decree signed by junta chief General Mamady Doumbouya.

The managing director and deputy of Guinea’s national oil company were also removed from their positions, as per a separate decree.

Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah addressed the press on Friday, stressing the need for accountability regarding the power outage situation, stating, “Those responsible for this situation owe us an explanation and everyone must take their share of responsibility.”

The decision to dismiss these officials follows violent protests in Kindia, located 130 kilometers east of Conakry, where two children aged eight and 14 were tragically shot dead on Tuesday.

Subsequent clashes between protesters and security forces erupted in Conakry on Thursday, prompted by a power outage that left much of the capital in darkness.

In response to the unrest, the Electricity in Guinea (EDG) issued a statement attributing the blackout to “an incident on a high-voltage pylon.”

Despite Guinea’s abundant mineral and natural resources, the country continues to grapple with poverty exacerbated by decades of dictatorial rule, fuel shortages, and frequent power cuts.

KanyiDaily recalls six football fans in Guinea recently lost their lives while celebrating the country’s 1-0 victory over Gambia at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).