The republic of Guinea: ten years of independence 1958 - 1968

Abstract

Guinea was the only territory of the former French colonial empire south of the Sahara to decide in favour of immediate independence, and this was declared on 28 September of that year in 1958. Guinea’s refusal to join the Franco-African community was, in fact, the outcome of a series of change dating from 1953. The powerful traditional chiefs ruling the Peuhls of Fouta Djallon ( the Almamys) having given their support to the colonial government, the “parti Démocratique de Guinée” (P.D.G.) (Guinea Democratic Party) was compelled to look for support in the rural area. In 1958, it was in the colonial offices that an African state could not survive without the “technical assistance” and a collapse was anticipated after the massive departure of the colonial civil servants. Guinea has proved that an African state could do away with it. Its administration compared favorable with others. Its performances as well as the quality of these performances were very much the same as for other country.