Guinea president sacks ministers following deadly protests

People burn barricades in a street on February 21, 2017, in Conakry where at least six people died during violent protests on the eve as people demonstrated over teachers' strikes that have closed schools for the past three weeks, government sources said. At least 30 people were also wounded, including members of the police force in Conakry, the government said in a statement. A number of violent protests have rocked the city in the past few weeks, mainly by young people and students who support a teachers' strike.<br />/ AFP PHOTO / CELLOU BINANI

Guinean President Alpha Conde has sacked three ministers, including his education minister, in a reshuffle after a long strike by teachers and violent protests.

The unrest saw a three-week strike culminate in clashes that left seven people dead in the capital and forced the closure of schools.

Conde responded with a reshuffle which Monday saw him fire his pre-university education, civil service and environment ministers.

Former teacher and union activist Ibrahima Kalil Konate replaced Ibrahima Kourouma as pre-university education minister.

February’s protests were largely by young people and students backing a strike by temporary teachers demanding full-time government contracts and better conditions.

Schools eventually reopened after unions struck a deal with the government on February 20, but some teachers complained it fell short of their demands and two days of violence resulted.

In other changes, Sekou Kourouma was dropped as the civil service minister and replaced by his former advisor Billy Nankouma Doumbouya.

In the environment ministry, Christine Sagno handed over charge to another woman, economist Aissatou Balde.

By JIMIVAEY

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