Socialist Democracy of Guinea
Encyclopedia
The Socialist Democracy of Guinea was a political party
in Guinea
. DSG was founded in the run-up to the 1954 legislative election by Abdoulaye Diallo, Chaikou Baldé and Ibrahima Barry (aka 'Barry III'). DSG was a continuation of the party led by Yaciné Diallo
. DSG was the Guinean affiliate of the French Section of the Workers International (SFIO).
Barry III was the candidate of the party in the election. Barry III came third in the 1954 election with 16,098 votes (6.3%).
The French colonial administration was opposed to DSG. The French administration hoped to thwart the radical African Democratic Rally
(RDA) of Sékou Touré, and with this purpose they propped up the conservative African Bloc of Guinea (BAG, a party tied to Fula
chiefs). The administration did not wish that any other party that would rival BAG as the anti-RDA force in Guinea, thus disapproving of the emergence of DSG. At its July 1954 congress SFIO charged that the French governor in Guinea had openly supported the BAG candidate, in contradiction to the neutrality that an administrative official should have adhered to. However when there was a vote in the French National Assembly
on validating the Guinean election result, SFIO voted in favour validation.
DSG mobilized educated, modernist Fulas. It was never able to become a mass party, and its influence was largely limited to the Futa Jalon. Barry III's attacks on traditional chiefs alienated large parts of the Fula population away from the party. DSG published the bimonthly Le Populaire de Guinée.
DSG held its first congress in Dixinn
November 20–22, 1955.
In the 1956 legislative election, DSG obtained 9.8% of the vote in Guinea. In the municipal elections held the same year, DSG won in Dalaba
and Labé
.
In January 1957, DSG became an affiliate of the African Socialist Movement
(MSA). In the March 1957 Territorial Assembly election DSG won all three assembly seats from Pita
.
In April 1958 DSG merged with BAG, forming the Guinean branch of the African Regroupment Party (PRA).
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Guinea
Guinea
Guinea , officially the Republic of Guinea , is a country in West Africa. Formerly known as French Guinea , it is today sometimes called Guinea-Conakry to distinguish it from its neighbour Guinea-Bissau. Guinea is divided into eight administrative regions and subdivided into thirty-three prefectures...
. DSG was founded in the run-up to the 1954 legislative election by Abdoulaye Diallo, Chaikou Baldé and Ibrahima Barry (aka 'Barry III'). DSG was a continuation of the party led by Yaciné Diallo
Yacine Diallo
Yacine Diallo was a politician from Guinea who served in the French National Assembly from 1946-1954 .- references :...
. DSG was the Guinean affiliate of the French Section of the Workers International (SFIO).
Barry III was the candidate of the party in the election. Barry III came third in the 1954 election with 16,098 votes (6.3%).
The French colonial administration was opposed to DSG. The French administration hoped to thwart the radical African Democratic Rally
African Democratic Rally
The African Democratic Rally was a political party in French West Africa, led by Félix Houphouët-Boigny. Founded in Bamako in 1946, the RDA quickly became one of the most important forces for independence in the region. Initially a Pan-Africanist movement, the RDA ceased to function as a...
(RDA) of Sékou Touré, and with this purpose they propped up the conservative African Bloc of Guinea (BAG, a party tied to Fula
Fula people
Fula people or Fulani or Fulbe are an ethnic group spread over many countries, predominantly in West Africa, but found also in Central Africa and Sudanese North Africa...
chiefs). The administration did not wish that any other party that would rival BAG as the anti-RDA force in Guinea, thus disapproving of the emergence of DSG. At its July 1954 congress SFIO charged that the French governor in Guinea had openly supported the BAG candidate, in contradiction to the neutrality that an administrative official should have adhered to. However when there was a vote in the French National Assembly
French National Assembly
The French National Assembly is the lower house of the bicameral Parliament of France under the Fifth Republic. The upper house is the Senate ....
on validating the Guinean election result, SFIO voted in favour validation.
DSG mobilized educated, modernist Fulas. It was never able to become a mass party, and its influence was largely limited to the Futa Jalon. Barry III's attacks on traditional chiefs alienated large parts of the Fula population away from the party. DSG published the bimonthly Le Populaire de Guinée.
DSG held its first congress in Dixinn
Dixinn
Dixinn is an urban sub-prefecture in the Conakry Region of Guinea and one of five in the capital Conakry.The University of Conakry is located in Dixinn.-References:...
November 20–22, 1955.
In the 1956 legislative election, DSG obtained 9.8% of the vote in Guinea. In the municipal elections held the same year, DSG won in Dalaba
Dalaba
Dalaba is a town and sub-prefecture in the Dalaba Prefecture in the Mamou Region of Guinea.It was once home to a sanatorium, and to Miriam Makeba, who last visited the town in 1988, when she came to see her niece, N'Tombi Makeba, who lived in Miriam's house for a number...
and Labé
Labé
Labé is the main city and administrative capital of the Fouta Djallon region of Guinea. It has a population of about 58,649 . It is the second largest city in the country after the capital Conakry...
.
In January 1957, DSG became an affiliate of the African Socialist Movement
African Socialist Movement
African Socialist Movement was a political party in French West Africa. The MSA was formed following a meeting of the Section française de l'Internationale ouvrière federations of Cameroon, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, French Sudan , Gabon, Guinea, Niger, Oubangui-Chari , and Senegal; the...
(MSA). In the March 1957 Territorial Assembly election DSG won all three assembly seats from Pita
Pita
Pita or pitta is a round pocket bread widely consumed in many Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Balkan cuisines. It is prevalent in Greece, the Balkans the Levant, the Arabian Peninsula and Turkey. The "pocket" in pita bread is created by steam, which puffs up the dough...
.
In April 1958 DSG merged with BAG, forming the Guinean branch of the African Regroupment Party (PRA).