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

External links