Think tank

1. Context
2. Specific Conditions of the Republic of Guinea
a. Political situation
b. Socio-economic situation
3. Justification of the setting up of a Think Tank
4. Legal form and justification
5. Basic Requirements for the setting up of the Think Tank
6. International Cooperation Prospects
· CESIC
· Other organizations

GALAXY AFRICA
A THINK TANK FOR AFRICA
1. Context

In Europe and in the USA as well, the major worry about the situation in the Republic of Guinea is a conflict could destabilize all the neighbouring countries. Cote d Ivoire, after a violent civil war is yet to organize free elections; Liberia and Sierra are still undergoing a healing and reconstruction progress after decades of bloody civil wars. Guinea Bissau is too, weakened by many years of war is still looking for ways to re educate the thousands of former freedom fighters finding it difficult to integrate a democratic society. Most of the five neighbouring countries (even countries beyond) will undoubtedly be negatively impacted by an outburst of violence in the Republic of Guinea.

2. Specific Conditions of the Republic of Guinea

a. Political situation
After a coup in December 2008, a military regime has been controlling the country for a year; the military set up a structure called CNDD (National Committee for Development and Democracy) took over all the powers leaving a civilian Prime Minister with little or no margin to introduce or execute any reforms in order to stabilize the economy and prepare for elections as the military had promised to hand over the powers to a civilian government. Aggressive and uncoordinated decisions were enforced in relation to the behaviour of foreign investors; many high ranking civil servants were exposed and violently criticized in a fight against corruption; consequently the International community grew restless and sanctions and threats of sanctions were being devised and enforced. Political parties starting seeing their freedom of movement and action restricted; trade unions which were the vanguard during the former regime of Lansana Conte started getting weary for not being listened to. The fight against drug, led by a special squad ( separate from all other national security forces) directly linked to the presidents office waged war in a manner which frightened the entire population; several people were arrested and jailed but no real prosecution took place; young military of all sections, left alone armed in the street started attacking stores, businesses and even allegedly kidnapping wealthy people for a ransom.
The political parties in an last attempt to show their existence called for a peaceful demonstration which was refused authorization by the military regime; psychological confrontation set in, the parties went on and organized their convention which was crashed in a bloody move by soldiers; 150 dead and many women raped claimed most organizations; the regime poorly handled the situation by giving out meek explanations. They lost the opportunity to ask for forgiveness and track down the real culprits. Both national and international outcry became louder than their “official version of the bloody repression. The feeling that the military were not going to hand over the powers to the civilian population went from a mere sentiment to a real conviction. Contradictions within the divided army grew stronger and degenerated into an assassination attempt of the President by his own bodyguard.

After a month of hesitation and anxiousness, General Sekouba KONATE, the Minister of National Defence announced in a liberating speech that the population as tired, the economy is wrecked, and that the only way out is to re-integrate the International Community, seek the help of International donors, get a civilian Prime Minister who will set up a national unity government which will organise free and transparent presidential elections within six months.

b. Socio-economic situation

If one can justify the fight against drug trafficking and corruption, the ways and methods used by the military regime could be less accepted by many; no doubt that drug the country was being turned into a major drug trafficking crossroad; no one could also deny that for decades, ministers and thousands of high ranking civil servants got involved in massive embezzlements of public funds for their own personal use. However if the exhibitory method used by the military (TV shows) at first provided some psychological solace to the average people who could see the former “lords” belittled on TV for everybody to see, soon the dire economic conditions under which all prices rose sharply quickly took over popular sentiment. The sometimes very aggressive and violent investigative and humiliating manners inflicted upon the managers of many multinationals, especially in the mining sector ended up upsetting many because the lot of average guinean never got better; economic activity slowed down, customs, the main fund provider, after seeing its Director Generals changed over and over again drop into confusion and fear. International donors suspended their projects, major developed countries embassies closed or reduced to the minimum their staff, international schools closed, many business leaders (nationals and foreigners) left the country. The value of the Guinean Franc dropped to more than 6000 to USD1. The European Union suspended its development assistance of more than USD200.300.000. The USA suspended their non humanitarian assistance of more than USD20.000.000. Members of the military regime saw themselves being refused entry visas to the USA or EU countries and their assets frozen. Ecowas, among several sanctions set up an embargo on the import of weapons. The average Guinean buried under several livelihood issues started wondering the whole by trying to figure out, why with such an abundance of resources he/she is still having problems feeding his/her family. The prospects were very deem until Mr Sekouba Konate’s speech.


3 Justification of the setting up of a Think Tank

Since their first appearance right after WWI, think tanks have evolved and have made tremendous contributions to all spheres of political and socio-economic life in first developed countries and in the shaping of the relation to the world in this age of globalization. If they have made extraordinary strides ahead in the field of “thinking”, generated results have guided many concrete actions on the grounds.

In Africa, and especially in Guinea where natural resources are abundant, but the population, under the leadership of many “well intended” government but unable to design and apply appropriate policies in an ever changing global world, need not be to state that a well organized cell, with the proper staff/members and appropriate logistical support will be able to think and design adequate policies, provide guidance to many well-intended but badly-designed or executed projects. Such a think tank will assist foreign multinationals in setting up their entry policies into Africa for better performance. Research in many fields will benefit from the expertise developed locally and from the various exchange programs with thin tanks abroad.


3. Legal form and justification

“Groupement d’Interet Economique” which is legally recognized in Guinea is the most appropriate legal form. This is an ideal form which is very flexible and is somewhere between a “limited company” and a totally “non profit organization. It is basically non partisan. Legally, its creation is rather simple and fast. Financing and operation rules are very flexible.

The GIE allows the pursuit of more global and specific offers. Private companies can gather into a GIE for common objectives, they can put their different expertise and combine their forces to catch greater market shares.

4. Basic Requirements and needs

Galaxy Africa will start with a very light structure, composed of the three founding members, a bilingual secretary and a security officer. Evidently many associated members and contractual staff will soon join this core structure on a “need basis”.

A secretariat with 4offices and large well equipped conference room will be required.
Five desktop computers and as many laptops with scanners/photocopy machines/shredders/ surveillance cameras are going to be the basics needs.

Financing will be searched through Foundations, private entities and individuals ready to contribute in the pursuit of excellence in the real of new ideas.

5. International Cooperation Prospects

International Cooperation with other organization is going to be the cutting edge for the success of Galaxy Africa. Wherever there is performance and the search for excellence, Galaxy africa will be around.

The wish is to have CESIC as a most privileged partner and every effort will be made to achieve such a critical relation. Through CESIC’s network other partnerships will be created and developed.