Building peace in Guinea

Since 2008, Guinea has been going through a fragile and turbulent democratic transition. Extreme poverty, weak governance, and lack of equal access to basic services and resources are fuelling resentment and mistrust in the State‘s ability to promote positive change for its people. Tensions, conflicts, and violent clashes between different groups are affecting the country’s fragile stability and resilience.

Through the project “Unis dans nos différences” (United in our differences), the EU aims to strengthen the capacities of local actors, including youth, women, local authorities, religious and traditional leaders, to manage conflicts peacefully and to promote social cohesion and tolerance, while preventing the spread of radicalisation and violent extremism.

Young people in Guinea had the chance to become better leaders and promote tolerance and a spirit of togetherness in their community in the so-called ‘peace clubs’.

Since 2019, 40 ‘peace clubs’ have been set up throughout the country covering major towns like Ratoma, Matoto, Labé, Pita, Siguiri, Kankan, N'Zérékoré and Beyla. The clubs became a place where young people from different religious, political and community backgrounds can develop their communication and leadership skills and learn how to handle conflicts and rumours, while creating strong bonds of trust between them. This helps them to withstand calls to violence and hatred.

“Now I can create films so I can get my message out there. I can tell people to love one another, help each other and forgive each other. That’s a problem we have in Guinea, loving one another... people don’t forgive each other. But if everyone comes together, Guinea will be alright.” says Barry Ousmane, a member of the students’ peace club in Ratoma.

The project was implemented by the NGO Search for Common Ground and financed by the European Union under the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace.