Guinea swears in civilian prime minister

January 27, 2010

Jean-Marie Dore has been sworn in as the prime minister of the Guinean transitional government, who has been charged with ending military rule in the country and organising elections.

"[Democratic elections are] indeed the required path for our country to attain stability," Dore said at the inauguration ceremony today. He asked for General Sekouba Konate, the president of the interim government, to "reorganise and restructure the military with the support of the international community."

According to the BBC, the interim government's plan is to launch an election with half a year.

"I am committed to leading Guinea toward free, credible and transparent elections, which is a necessary passage for the country," he said in a speech.

Dore's was appointed less than two months when the Guinean junta leader, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, was badly injured in an attempted assassination, reportedly by one of his former aides.

Camara, who sustained gunshot injuries to the head, agreed to remain in neighbouring Burkina Faso, while he recovers from his wounds. President Konate, who was the defence minister under Camara, assumed control after Camara's incapacitation. Camara agreed to allow Konate to select a civilian prime minister.