Guinea - US Relations

The focus of the U.S. government in Guinea is to promote inclusive economic growth and human development, institutionalize good governance and democratic processes, and to advance peace and security. The U.S. Government condemned the December 23, 2008 coup d’état and suspended all aid to Guinea, except for humanitarian assistance and programs in support of the democratic process.

With the installation of a transition government in January 2010, the U.S. Government considered expanding its current programs. Before the coup, the United States maintained close relations with Guinea. U.S. policy seeks to encourage Guineas democratic reforms, its positive contribution to regional stability, and sustainable economic and social development.

The U.S. Mission to Guinea comprises 5 agencies of the United States Government: the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of Defense, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Peace Corps volunteers work throughout the country on projects related to education, public health, agro-forestry and community economic development.

Before suspending aid, the U.S. Mission managed a military assistance program that provided nearly $670,000 for military education, professionalization, language training programs, and health equipment purchases.

Guinea is now one of only five sustainable development missions in West Africa, with a core program that focused--before the suspension--on democracy and good governance generally, but with an emphasis in the sectors of health, education, and natural resource management. The mission also has significant health resources devoted directly to improving service delivery.

Peace Corps Guinea’s activities temporarily came to a halt in January 2007 due to national political unrest. The program resumed operations in July 2007, but again had to suspend activities in October 2009, and volunteers have not yet returned. Volunteers work in four project areas: secondary education, environment/agro-forestry, public health and HIV/AIDS prevention, and small enterprise development. Guinea has also had a strong Peace Corps Response program in previous years.

USAID continues to support Guinea’s nascent democracy through increased assistance to build the organizational capacities of political parties so they can be inclusive and issue-based. With the contentious political environment, USAID has elevated its support. The overall goal of the project is to support public dialogue and engagement around Guinea’s elections in order to promote transparent, participatory, peaceful and credible elections. The specific objectives are to: 1) promote political dialogue and build consensus around peaceful and legitimate electoral processes, 2) strengthen a political party system, 3) expand civic and voter education, 4) enhance citizen engagement in and oversight of election systems, processes and management, 5) establish conflict early warning/early response mechanisms and processes and 6) strengthen the National Electoral Commission (CENI).