Guinea Roundup: Conakry fire, fuel crisis, Ecowas support

400 trucks ready to curb fuel crisis

Efforts of solidarity are intensifying to address the fuel crisis stemming from the recent fire at Guinea's primary oil depot. Hydrocarbon carriers, playing a crucial role in the supply chain, have mobilized at least 400 trucks, prepared for immediate deployment to help curb the fuel crisis in the country. “We, in the hydrocarbon transport sector, have gathered all our logistics to make it available to the State. Fortunately, the friendly countries have extended us a hand of fraternity to help us so that this crisis does not have enough negative impacts on the functioning of our country. That's why we put vehicles. SONAP, too, is making all the arrangements. Had it not been for this incident, there would not have been all this problem. Because the government, through the Sonap, has imported enough fuel,” Elhadj Nana Télico, the leader of the employers' section for oil tankers, told African Guinee.

Conakry's fire: Government creates six technical commissions

In response to the fire at Conakry's largest fuel depot, the Guinean government has created six technical commissions to effectively manage the crisis. These commissions include the Health, Safety, and Environment Committee; the Victim Support Committee; the Energy, Transport, and Logistics Committee; the Communication and Awareness Committee; the Evaluation and Compensation Committee; and the Economy, Finance, and Partner Relations Committee. Minister of Security and Civil Protection, Bachir Diallo, announced this development on Saturday, December 23, 2023, in a decree, Guinee Matin reports. Each commission is tasked with specific missions and responsibilities, and their operational budgets are sourced from the crisis management budget designated for the aftermath of the Kaloum hydrocarbon depot fire.

National team squad for Africa Cup of Nations

Guinea's national coach, Kaba Diawara, has unveiled the 25-man squad that will represent the country in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. The team comprises three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders, and six attackers, Guineelive reports. The full list includes; Goalkeepers: Aly Keita, Moussa Camara, Ibrahim Koné; Defenders: Antoine Conté, Ibrahima Diakité, Issiagha Sylla, Sékou Oumar Sylla, Mouctar Diakhaby, Julien Janvier, Saidou Sow, Mohamed Aly Camara; Midfielders: Amadou Diawara, Seydouba Cissé, Aguibou Camara, Naby Keita, Aboudoulaye Touré, Mory Konaté, Moriba Kourouma, Karim Cissé; Attackers: Guilavogui Morgan, Serhou Guirassy, François Kamano, Mohamed Bayo, Facinet Conté, José Martinez Kanté. From the list, Fascinet Conté who currently plays for Bastia in the French League 2 is the only new addition to the team.

Conakry fire finally extinguished

The civil protection services, assisted by teams from Senegal, France, Ivory Coast, and other substitutes, successfully extinguished the catastrophic fire that ravaged Guinea's primary hydrocarbon depot on the night of December 17 to 18, 2023, after six days of battle, Africa Guinee reports. "The coordination was exceptional. The operation was well coordinated under the leadership of General Bachir Diallo. Huge efforts have been made. There have been many difficulties but the objective has been achieved, it is the main thing. We have an effective fire service because even before the arrival of foreign support, we had been able to organize ourselves and circumscribe the fire" Director General of Civil Protection, Colonel Mohamed Camara said. He added "When we are in extinguishing operations, we use emulsifiers prepared from chemicals. They are mixed with water to make the foaming solution to extinguish this fire. This solution was up on three firefighters, they were slightly affected. Apart from these cases, we have caused zero victims," says the Director General of Civil Protection.

ECOWAS sympathizes with Guinea

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has expressed sympathy with Guinea following the December 17th explosion at the country's major fuel depot. In an official statement, the sub-regional institution conveyed its condolences to the families of the victims and extended sympathy to the Government and People of Guinea, ActuGuinee reports. The leadership of the organisation has further member states and the international community to provide support to Guinea during these challenging times.