African Democratic Party of Guinea

The African Democratic Party of Guinea (French: Parti démocratique africain de Guinée), initially called Democratic Party of Guinea-Ahmed Sékou Touré (Parti démocratique de Guinée-Ahmed Sékou Touré) is a political party in Guinea. PDG-AST was founded in January 1994, following a split in the Democratic Party of Guinea-African Democratic Rally (PDG-RDA).[1] The party was led by Marcel Cross, father-in-law of Toure's son Mohammed.[2]

In the lead-up to the split in PDG-RDA the PDG-AST founders largely centered their criticism against the party leader Ismael Gushein, whom they accused of 'political scheming'.[3] In the bitterness around the party split, PDG-RDA branded PDG-AST as 'traitors'.[4] PDG-AST upheld the legacy of the 12th PDG party congress, which had opened up for political and economic reforms.[4] Whilst PDG-RDA became supportive of the government of Lansana Conte, PDG-AST joined the opposition camp.[5] PDG-AST had a following among Malinke officers purged after the end of Sekou Toure's rule.[6]

In May 1994 PDG-AST formed a pact with the National Democratic Union of Guinea.[1] In the 1995 Guinean legislative election, the party obtained 1.15% of the proportional representation vote and won one seat.[7][8]

PDG-AST in the 1995 legislative election
Region Constituency Votes %
Boké Boké 829 1.44
Boffa 60 0.10
Fria 255 1.21
Gaoual 413 1.38
Koundara 451 2.00
Kindia Kindia 742 0.87
Télimélé 691 0.98
Coyah 204 1.01
Forécariah 235 0.41
Dubréka 3 0.01
Mamou Mamou 919 1.49
Dalaba 839 2.20
Pita 1,219 1.84
Labé Labé 1,655 2.35
Mali 829 1.28
Tougué 515 1.62
Koubia 637 2.49
Lélouma 935 2.44
Faranah Faranah 896 1.69
Kissidougou 572 0.95
Dabola 651 2.48
Dingulraye 530 1.58
Kankan Kankan 469 0.64
Koumussa 461 1.02
Siguiri 811 1.15
Kerouane 417 1.14
Mandiana 1,107 2.23
Nzérékoré N'Zerekore 533 0.70
Macenta 353 0.65
Gueckedou 480 0.70
Beyla 532 1.07
Lola 270 0.81
Yomou 176 0.63
Conakry Kaloum 211 0.80
Dixinn 194 0.53
Ratoma 198 0.38
Matam 263 0.67
Matoto 678 1.02
Total 21,233 1.15

[8]

Following the election, PDG-AST joined the Democratic Opposition Coordination (CODEM), a movement of 12 opposition parties protesting against the legitimacy of the official election result.[1][9] Subsequently, the Supreme Court, based on a request from PDG-RDA, withdrew the registration of PDG-AST as a political party.[10] The party subsequently took the name PDAG.

Ahead of the 1998 Guinean presidential election PDAG had entered a pact to support the candidature of RPG leader Alpha Condé.[11] The day before the election security forces raided Cross' residence, arrested him and claimed that he was amassing arms for a coup d'état.[11] He was released two months later.[12]

References

  1. Encyclopedia Britannica (1996). Britannica Book of the Year: 1996. Encyclopaedia Britannica. p. 413. ISBN 978-0-85229-628-8.
  2. Country Profile: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia. The Unit. 1996. p. 7.
  3. Arthur S. Banks; Thomas C. Muller; William Overstreet; Sean M. Phelan; Hal Smith (January 2000). Political Handbook of the World 1999. Cq Pr. p. 402. ISBN 978-0-933199-14-9.
  4. Africa Research Bulletin: Political, social, and cultural series. Blackwell. 1994. p. 1681.
  5. Jeune Afrique. Les Editions J.A. 1996. p. 33.
  6. Muriel Devey (2009). La Guinée. KARTHALA Editions. p. 157. ISBN 978-2-8111-0037-7.
  7. The World Factbook. Brassey's. 30 May 2003. p. 219. ISBN 978-1-57488-641-2.
  8. International Commission of Jurists. Elections legislatives de Guinee
  9. Thomas O'Toole; Janice E. Baker (16 March 2005). Historical Dictionary of Guinea. Scarecrow Press. p. 57. ISBN 978-0-8108-6545-7.
  10. Country Report: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia. The Unit. 1997. p. 11.
  11. O. Tity Faye (2007). Guinée: Chronique D'une Démocratie Annoncée. Trafford Pub. p. 196. ISBN 978-1-4251-3344-3.
  12. IRIN. Conde ally released


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