Guinean sacked twice in four days

A minister in Guinea has been sacked for the second time in four days.

Mamady Sam Soumah was fired as secretary-general for the presidency on Friday, but reinstated on Sunday before being sacked again the following day.

A BBC correspondent says the dismissals are believed to be linked to disagreements over a mining contract with international firm Rio Tinto.

They are also thought to reveal a broader power struggle surrounding ailing President Lansana Conte.

Iron Ore

The BBC's Alhassan Sillah reports from Guinea that the president and his one-time powerful ally, Mr Soumah, are believed not to see eye to eye on the mining contract.

Mr Soumah reportedly played a central role in questioning the legality of a huge iron ore concession being given to Rio Tinto in Guinea.

Political analysts say there is a power-struggle going on around the president - who has been in poor health - with people positioning themselves for a possible succession.

President Conte recently sacked the prime minister who had been appointed last year as part of a deal to end deadly anti-government protests across the country.

Shortly afterwards, troops mutinied, demanding back pay and better conditions.

When they were granted concessions, police staged similar protests.

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