This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6358027.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Guinea protests over martial law | Guinea protests over martial law |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Protestors have taken to the streets in at least four towns in Guinea, angered by the Guinean President Lansana Conte's decision to impose martial law. | Protestors have taken to the streets in at least four towns in Guinea, angered by the Guinean President Lansana Conte's decision to impose martial law. |
| There was also gunfire in the capital as security forces clashed with demonstrators calling on their ailing leader to step down. | |
| Mr Conte declared a "state of siege" last night and told the army to restore order after three days of violence. | Mr Conte declared a "state of siege" last night and told the army to restore order after three days of violence. |
| A curfew has also been declared and the military told to prevent a civil war. | A curfew has also been declared and the military told to prevent a civil war. |
| There are isolated reports of gunshots, as the army tries to enforce the curfew order but correspondents say the streets are largely deserted, except for the military patrols. | There are isolated reports of gunshots, as the army tries to enforce the curfew order but correspondents say the streets are largely deserted, except for the military patrols. |
| People are only allowed to leave their homes between 1600 and 2000 local time, while there is a heavy security presence. | People are only allowed to leave their homes between 1600 and 2000 local time, while there is a heavy security presence. |
| 'Protect the people' | 'Protect the people' |
| At least 15 people were reportedly killed in the capital, Conakry, on Monday. | At least 15 people were reportedly killed in the capital, Conakry, on Monday. |
| Gunfire was heard near army barracks, while gangs of youths armed with machetes and clubs were seen marching through some suburbs. | Gunfire was heard near army barracks, while gangs of youths armed with machetes and clubs were seen marching through some suburbs. |
| Orders have been given to the heads of the armed forces to take all necessary measures to re-establish public order President Lansana Conte Eyewitness: Fleeing violence Q&A: Guinea emergency Others were killed in clashes on Saturday, as protesters took to the streets in several Guinean towns. | Orders have been given to the heads of the armed forces to take all necessary measures to re-establish public order President Lansana Conte Eyewitness: Fleeing violence Q&A: Guinea emergency Others were killed in clashes on Saturday, as protesters took to the streets in several Guinean towns. |
| The unions called off last month's 18-day strike after Mr Conte promised to hand over powers to a prime minister. | The unions called off last month's 18-day strike after Mr Conte promised to hand over powers to a prime minister. |
| But they renewed the strike action call after saying the man named on Friday for the post, Eugene Camara, was too close to Mr Conte. | But they renewed the strike action call after saying the man named on Friday for the post, Eugene Camara, was too close to Mr Conte. |
| Dressed in traditional robes, Mr Conte appeared on national television and radio to announce that the unrest amounted to a "state of siege" and the army had been ordered to "take all necessary measures". | Dressed in traditional robes, Mr Conte appeared on national television and radio to announce that the unrest amounted to a "state of siege" and the army had been ordered to "take all necessary measures". |
| Mr Conte said he had fulfilled the unions' demand that he appoint a prime minister, and accused "badly intentioned people" of hijacking the movement to flout government authority. | Mr Conte said he had fulfilled the unions' demand that he appoint a prime minister, and accused "badly intentioned people" of hijacking the movement to flout government authority. |
| 'Angry population' | 'Angry population' |
| The BBC's Will Ross in Conakry says that with so many people calling for the president to step down, the new measures are likely to produce even more anger among an already angry population. | The BBC's Will Ross in Conakry says that with so many people calling for the president to step down, the new measures are likely to produce even more anger among an already angry population. |
| The unions say President Conte is too sick to run the country | The unions say President Conte is too sick to run the country |
| Many in Guinea blame Mr Conte - who seized power in a 1984 coup but has since won three elections - for the country's ailing economy, our reporter says, and see a change of leadership as the only solution. | Many in Guinea blame Mr Conte - who seized power in a 1984 coup but has since won three elections - for the country's ailing economy, our reporter says, and see a change of leadership as the only solution. |
| The president, meanwhile, has turned to the army to end the crisis, he says. | The president, meanwhile, has turned to the army to end the crisis, he says. |
| Under Guinean law, a state of emergency prohibits all public gatherings and imposes a strict curfew, while giving the military expanded powers. | Under Guinean law, a state of emergency prohibits all public gatherings and imposes a strict curfew, while giving the military expanded powers. |
| The French Foreign Ministry has said it is following the situation "extremely closely" and has urged all parties to exercise restraint. | The French Foreign Ministry has said it is following the situation "extremely closely" and has urged all parties to exercise restraint. |
| Regional fears | Regional fears |
| The unions say Mr Conte, who is in his 70s, has diabetes and rarely appears in public, is too sick to continue running the country. | The unions say Mr Conte, who is in his 70s, has diabetes and rarely appears in public, is too sick to continue running the country. |
| They also accuse him of personally securing the release of two prominent men accused of corruption. | They also accuse him of personally securing the release of two prominent men accused of corruption. |
| Guinea is rich in minerals but is seen as one of the world's most corrupt countries and most people live in poverty. | Guinea is rich in minerals but is seen as one of the world's most corrupt countries and most people live in poverty. |
| About 60 people were killed in protests during last month's strike, when security forces fired live bullets to prevent demonstrators reaching central Conakry. | About 60 people were killed in protests during last month's strike, when security forces fired live bullets to prevent demonstrators reaching central Conakry. |
| Some fear that violence in Guinea could spread to its neighbours, Liberia, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone. | Some fear that violence in Guinea could spread to its neighbours, Liberia, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone. |