USAID's Strategy in Guinea

The cross-border attacks that threatened to destabilize Guinea's national integrity and undermine the prospects for long-term development are no longer the dominant factors that they were two years ago. Internally, however, Guinea's progress toward democracy continues to face major constraints: meaningful multi-party politics is impeded by ethnic cleavages, and the legacy of authoritarian leadership, pervasive corruption and over-centralization have stymied the development of effective legislative and judicial branches of government. The constructive dialogue facilitated by USAID over the preceding two years contributed to peaceful, if deeply flawed, legislative elections in June, 2002, but the potential for conflict has increased markedly since dialogue between the administration and the opposition broke down in the lead-up to these elections.

A potentially rich country, given its mineral resources and agricultural capacity, Guinea's economic development is impeded by limited foreign and domestic investment, inadequate infrastructure, and rampant corruption. The quality of life of the average Guinean is considered among the lowest in the world and severe malnutrition is widespread. New opportunities, however, have opened up for Guinea to address its economic development constraints and reduce poverty. Under the World Bank and International Monetary Fund coordinated Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Debt Relief Initiative, Guinea's official debt is scheduled for cancellation. Debt relief will allow for a positive redirection of the investment budget, including the financial resources to boost investment in Guinea's social development and implement its poverty reduction strategy.

Guinea continues to be of strategic interest to the United States in several respects. Viewed in the context of the war on terrorism, Guinea is a moderate Muslim country that currently holds a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council and maintains a moderate, secular orientation in its foreign policy. In the West African context, Guinea remains a stable country in the sub-region that has not fallen into inter-ethnic or civil strife. It is in the strategic interest of the United States to support Guinea as a constructive force for peace in a regional setting where Liberia continues as a failed, pariah state and Côte d'Ivoire is degenerating into open civil conflict. It is also strongly in the U.S. interest to prevent the burgeoning and potentially destabilizing HIV/AIDS epidemic from taking root in Guinea and undermining the progress made in confronting its development challenges.

Back to Top ^