Independent from France since 1958, Guinea did not hold democratic elections until 1993 when Gen. Lansana CONTE (head of the military government) was elected president of the civilian government. He was reelected in 1998. Unrest in Sierra Leone has spilled over into Guinea, threatening stability and creating a humanitarian emergency.
In December 2008, Conte died and a coup was instigated by Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara. He declared himself President of a new 32-member "National Council for Democracy and Development" which is to replace other government institutions.
