If we were in a normal country, we would have wondered why the country’s main hydrocarbon depot was installed in the city center, a stone’s throw from the port, a stone’s throw from the Presidency of the Republic, ministries, large public and private services. But as we are Guinea, and with us, nothing will ever be normal, let us rather thank the Good Lord, the whole city of Conakry was not reduced to ashess.
Let us consider ourselves fortunate, the geniuses who govern us have not yet placed sulfuric acid factories in hospitals and gas pipelines in nurseries.
As we are from Guinea, we will never know the exact causes of this disaster nor the extent of the material damage nor the exact number of victims. From Sékou Touré to Mamadi Doumbouya, the geniuses who govern us do what they want and report to no one, even less to the people, these commoners, these plebs, this scum just good at singing and dancing, Just there to bend back and praise the leader.
As we are in Guinea, it was 5 days after the disaster that our September 5 putschist declared national mourning. As we are in Guinea, it was ten days later that he took the trouble to go to the scene of the tragedy. Who is not happy?
Guineans remember that this is not the first deadly explosion our country has experienced. Already, in 2001, an explosion occurred at Camp Alpha Yaya Diallo, causing hundreds of deaths. On several occasions, the French government, which at the time did not even maintain diplomatic relations with our country, had unsuccessfully pushed our authorities at the time to transfer this veritable powder keg to a safer location. Had there been an investigation, indictments or even convictions?
For my part, I don’t know anything about it. And in any case, for our young and dashing dictators, to explain themselves is to demean themselves: public opinion is rubbish, the leader is the equal of the gods, he only reports to himself. And above all, he has a crazy need to kill by the garrote, by the sword, by the cannon, by gegene, by the black diet or by simple negligence. Our leaders are always thirsty, and their drink of choice is blood. The Guinean state is barbarism in its purest form.
To be Guinean is to live in danger, an oppressive danger, a permanent danger. At any moment, we risk losing our lives. The danger is everywhere and not just in our fuel and ammunition depots. It is at the very heart of society. Sixty-five years of poor governance, savage repression and exacerbated tribalism have shaken our country and plunged our fellow citizens into unprecedented disarray.
Our country has become a time bomb that no one bothers to defuse. Mamadi Doumbouya talks about everything except transition. He behaves as if he is legitimate, as if he is there for a long time, even forever. It is clear that this man will only leave power when he is forced to do so. Will this man have the greatness of soul needed to save his country, offer it these peaceful, free and transparent elections and thus allow it to break with the vicious circle of bloody dictatorships? I do not believe that. His secret ambition is to play Dadis-bis: to force himself at his own risk, either for himself or to impose a liege man. Will the Guineans let him do it? Nothing is less sure.
For me, this dramatic explosion is only a warning sign, the coming year is the year of all dangers.
Tender Monenembo
