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U.S. Embassy Finances Conflict Resolution Project in Macenta, Guinea |
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| With the help of a $10,000 grant from the U.S. Embassy, the MARWOPNET field
office in Macenta will work to resolve a long-standing conflict between
the Toma and Mania ethnicities disturbing the peace in this region.
Marguerite Guilavogui and Lamine Soumah, MARWOPNET-Macenta’s focal point and permanent secretary, respectively, signed a contract accepting the conditions of this financing, during a ceremony held September 22, 2004 at the American Center in Conakry. The ceremony was presided over by Abdoulaye Sougoulé, coordinator of the embassy’s Democracy and Human Rights and Self-Help Funds, and Louise Bedichek, Director of the American Center. The Macenta office was among eight projects selected to receive a total of $75,000 USD under the DHR Fund in 2004. The DHR fund, which aims to contribute to the democratization process in Africa, is unique for the U.S. Embassy in that it finances local initiatives without passing by a government intermediary. “The U.S. government depends on associations and civil society to cultivate democracy at the grassroots level,” said Mr. Sougoulé.Hadja Tiguidanké Diakhaby, MARWOPNET’s second vice-president, was nominated by the 14 organizations receiving funding to speak on their behalf. “We have seen you (the representatives of the U.S. Embassy, in the villages and the urban centers alike, and know all you have done to provide the necessary assistance to our communities,” said Mrs. Tiguidanké. “We will do all we can to make these projects a success.” The Macenta project will include two week-long workshops for 128 participants on conflict resolution techniques, as well as awareness-raising activities on children’s rights, gender-based violence, violence in the schools and/or other relevant topics.
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