Rebecca Blackwell -- AP Photo

Soldiers walk past one of the few open shops in the Ratoma suburb of Conakry, Guinea, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007. Two waves of violent anti-government protests and rioting in Guinea since mid-January have left at least 115 dead in the capital. President Lansana Conte declared martial law a week ago, saying a military crackdown was the only way to prevent a civil war.

Guinea lawmakers vote no on martial law

By ABOU BAKR -- Associated Press Writer

(Updated Friday, February 23, 2007, 11:20 PM)

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CONAKRY, Guinea (AP) Lawmakers refused to extend martial law in Guinea, unanimously rejecting the request by their long-ruling president.

All 86 legislators who attended a special session Friday voted against extending the "state of siege" that has imposed a curfew, roadblocks and military searches on the West African country for two weeks, said National Assembly leader Aboubacar Sompare.

It appeared to be the first time the West African nation's legislature voted against a request by President Lansana Conte, who seized power 23 years ago with a promise of reform but delivered little but poverty and corruption.

Conte declared martial law after anti-government protests over his apparent violation of a power-sharing deal turned violent, descending into rioting and looting in some areas.

More than 100 people have died in Guinea since mid-January, when strikes by unions turned into calls for the president to step down and demonstrators clashed with firing security forces.

Under Guinea's constitution, the president does not have the power to extend a state of siege. The decision falls formally to the legislature, which is controlled by Conte's party.

The unanimous "no" vote means many of the president's political allies braved rebuke by a ruler seen as authoritarian. Many in Conte's party have said that the ailing leader - the president is in his 70s and reportedly suffers from diabetes and a heart condition - needs to give up some of his power.

About 20 legislators did not appear at the special session. It was not immediately clear if their absence was an abstention, a boycott or without political motive.

"We will not prolong the state of siege and permit the army forces to continue to terrorize the peaceful populace and violate innocent people," said Thierno Ousmane Diallo, a member of one of Guinea's opposition parties. Soldiers have been accused of shooting civilians, raping women and stealing from homes they have searched since military rule was imposed.

Sompare asked lawmakers to vote for the security of Guinea's people by extending martial law, but when the vote came, he went along with the majority and voted against the extension.

The strict military rule had already been eased somewhat by a relaxing of a curfew and calls from the head of the armed forces for soldiers to aid - not abuse - the population.

Soldiers walk through a newly constructed municipal building, ransacked by anti-government protesters nine days earlier in the Ratoma neighborhood of Conakry, Guinea Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007. Two waves of violent anti-government protests and rioting in Guinea since mid-January have left at least 115 dead in the capital. President Lansana Conte declared martial law a week ago, saying a military crackdown was the only way to prevent a civil war.

Rebecca Blackwell -- AP Photo

Conte imposed the clampdown after his appointment of a Cabinet member as prime minister sparked a deadly protests for the second time this year. Conte had previously promised to name an independent to the post.

Union leaders had said they would not call off their ongoing nationwide strike until martial law was lifted.

Rabiatou Serah Diallo, one of two main union heads, said the strike will continue until ongoing talks over the president's powers reach a resolution. He said their cause would gain strength with Friday's vote.

"If even the president's legislators are taking up this program, it shows that we, the unions, are on the right path," she said.

Guinea has not had a prime minister since Conte fired Cellou Dalein Diallo from the post in April.

The unions have complained of economic problems and demanded salary increases and arrears of months of unpaid wages. Recently, they have become increasingly political, saying the country's hardships are symptoms of a corrupt government that neglects its people.

Bordering on war-recovering Sierra Leone and Liberia, as well as conflict-divided Ivory Coast, Guinea is seen as a potential flashpoint in an already precarious region. For years, regional experts have warned that Conte's death or ouster could send the country into turmoil.

Guinea's 10 million people are impoverished and many live without the most basic public services, even though the country has half the world's reserves of bauxite, used to produce aluminum.

A soldier looks at children leaning on a burned car near where anti-government protesters destroyed a military police station and burned 22 vehicles 10 days earlier in the Causa neighborhood of Conakry, Guinea, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007. Two waves of violent anti-government protests and rioting in Guinea since mid-January have left at least 115 dead in the capital. President Lansana Conte declared martial law a week ago, saying a military crackdown was the only way to prevent a civil war.

Rebecca Blackwell -- AP Photo