Hommage à la Guinée

Changement! by Insoumis Sigui

A rap video released a couple of days ago, includes footage of demonstrations in Guinea and pretty graphic photographs. The lyrics are in French and I can’t really make them out other than that they are protesting Conté’s rule, but I’ve translated the opening messages below the fold. (Plus there’s another video.)

Changement! opening sequence:

[top] This is an SOS to the international community

[bottom] Look toward Guinea/Conakry

[center]
[1] Crimes against humanity in the Republic of Guinea
[2] We must bring assistance to the Guinean people and indict Lansana Conté under international law
[3] Guinea/Conakry is at the mercy of an authoritarian military regime which ignores the elementary rules of democracy and the Rights of Man

[switch to picture of Lansana Conté]

[bottom] President Lansana Conté, 72, in power for 23 years, has been weakened by diabetes and leukemia for the entire length of his reign — he has divided his country, starved the people, and pillaged the natural resources

[picture disappears]

Guinea is living with a situation of general strike and demonstrations marked by bloody repression, at least 100 demonstrators dead, and more than 200 badly wounded

Because they have dared to say: Change!!

And now here are some images

[blinking] Images of extreme violence — sensitive persons should abstain (from proceding)

[Subtitles]

Great change! Because we, young Guineans, no longer have a future!

Change! Change!

We want change!

Conté — Assassin!

The martyrs of 22 January

Dedicated to those died demonstrating in last month’s general strike.

Translation (I’m not completely sure what “syndicate” this seems to be addressed to):

See a little of the carnage of 22 January in Conakry

Those who have massacred my people will all be judged and brought to justice.

Spare a thought for those who have sacrificed so that nothing will any longer be as before.

The disappeared and the injured have need of medical care and money. Let us set up a subscription for them throughout our syndicate.

This will be our modest contribution toward the reconstruction of our dear and beautiful country.

Broadcast this message to the whole world, and let GOD bless GUINEA. Noel