" (IRIN, 2010) In addition it is stated that "corruption and economic decline have reduced government revenues, forcing the central bank to print more bank notes to cover the growing budget deficit." (IRIN, 2010) Inflation is stated to have risen from 6.1% in 2002 to 14% in 2003 and to have again doubled to 28% in 2004. (IRIN, 2010, paraphrased) Minimum wage in Guinea is equal to $36 per month in the United States.
B. Strengths/Capacities
The strengths of Guinea are comprised by the country's natural resources and potential industries specifically those of agriculture, fishing, and minerals. Guinea is a country that is blessed richly with minerals including more than 25 billion metric tons of bauxite and more than 4 billion tons of high-grade iron ore, as well as large deposits of gold, diamonds and uranium. Guinea is further blessed with great agricultural and fishing potential. However, Guinea is characterized by an infrastructure that is poorly developed and ongoing corruption that places barriers to investment projects large in scale.
III. RECOMMENDED EARLY ACTIONS
The government of Guinea should relax restrictions on the Guinean society at-large in terms of democracy and freedom and transparency in the government and its actions would go far in this initiative. It is reported that the United Nations has earmarked funds to assist Guinea but that however these funds are being withheld until the level of political unrest in Guinea has subsided.
Investment in Guinea is for the present time not forthcoming and this is just one negative outcome of all the political unrest. In fact, the formation of an economic council that is comprised of representatives from all ethnic and political groups with a focus on bringing the country's economy back around to potential and productivity...
(2009) Guinea's Complex Political Nexus: Threat to Regional Stability. 17 Dec 2009. The Patriotic Vanguard. Online available at: http://www.thepatrioticvanguard.com/spip.php?article4886
Minteh (2009) reviews the complication and complex political state of Guinea and the threat that this unrest poses to stability in the region. Minteh additionally provides a brief yet thorough explanation of the contemporary political struggles in Guinea.
2, Gelfand, Lauren (2009) Cliffhanger for Guinea's Political Drama 23 Dec 2009. World Politics Review. Online available at: http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/article.aspx?id=4859
Gelfand (2009) provides an account of the recent failed assassination attempt on military leader Dadis and the resulting political events in Guinea.
3. In-Depth: Guinea: Living on the Edge. (2009) Guinea: Politics and Economy. IRIN Humanitarian News and Analysis. 3 Jan 2010. Online available at: http://www.irinnews.org/InDepthMain.aspx?InDepthId=17&ReportId=62734
IRIN (2009) reports the recent failed assassination attempt on Dadis, the military commander and political leader of Guinea who entered into his position of power through a coup action. Stated is a threat of civil unrest as Guinea is bordered on all four sides by other countries in the region.
4. Background Note: Guinea (2009) U.S. Department of State. 2009 Aug. Online available at: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2824.htm#political
The U.S. Department of State (2009) report provides demographical details and data for Guinea which are updated regularly.
