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]
| 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 | |
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 edit
- ^ a b c Encyclopedia Britannica (1996). Britannica Book of the Year: 1996. Encyclopaedia Britannica. p. 413. ISBN 978-0-85229-628-8.
- ^ Country Profile: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia. The Unit. 1996. p. 7.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Africa Research Bulletin: Political, social, and cultural series. Blackwell. 1994. p. 1681.
- ^ Jeune Afrique. Les Editions J.A. 1996. p. 33.
- ^ Muriel Devey (2009). La Guinée. KARTHALA Editions. p. 157. ISBN 978-2-8111-0037-7.
- ^ The World Factbook. Brassey's. 30 May 2003. p. 219. ISBN 978-1-57488-641-2.
- ^ a b International Commission of Jurists. Elections legislatives de Guinee
- ^ Thomas O'Toole; Janice E. Baker (16 March 2005). Historical Dictionary of Guinea. Scarecrow Press. p. 57. ISBN 978-0-8108-6545-7.
- ^ Country Report: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia. The Unit. 1997. p. 11.
- ^ a b O. Tity Faye (2007). Guinée: Chronique D'une Démocratie Annoncée. Trafford Pub. p. 196. ISBN 978-1-4251-3344-3.
- ^ IRIN. Conde ally released
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