STUDIES & African Perspectives ARTICLES Egyptian-Guinean Relations Past… Present… and Future Horizons Dr: Kmara Abbass Head of the Regional Studies Department- Sudan Regional Research and Studies Center – Khartoum The Arab-African relations, in general, and the Egyptian Guinean relations, in particular, are vital on both the political and strategic levels. In this respect, relations between both countries should be fostered for several reasons including the historical, political, eco- nomic, cultural and religious aspects, besides the common mem- bership in various organizations and associations in addition to regional and international blocs such as the UN and its specialized agencies, the AU, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the non-Aligned Organization, the G"77", the 3rd World Coun- tries and the Community of Sahel-Sahara States. Such idiosyncrasies which both countries enjoy should be taken into consid- eration in order to entrench relations and to coordinate stances in various issues of mutual interest. Since Guinea's independence from France in 1958, it enjoys distinguished relations with Egypt. Strong amicable relations had actually developed be- tween the two leaders Gamal Abdel Nasser and Ahmed Sékou Touré; may God bless their souls. Since then, both countries were always keen to en- trench the cooperation relations. In this vein, Guinea played a prominent role in restoring Egypt's membership in the OIC which was lost upon signing the Peace Treaty with Israel. In return, Egypt was keen to support the Guinean cadres in the training courses organized by the Egyptian Fund for Technical Cooperation with Af- rica in collaboration with various governmental bodies in various fields (Health, justice, police, agriculture, education, and diplomatic training). In recognition of Egypt's role in backing Guinea against the French Occu- pation, the biggest Guinean University was named "Gamal Abdel Nasser". Furthermore, despite the diplomatic representation and the cultural agree- ments signed between both states, yet the political, diplomatic, economic and 42 SIS African Perspectives cultural relations did not yet reach annually, mainly composed of food- the aspired levels. Thus, in order to stuff and construction materials that further develop the mutual rela- were exported through Lebanese tions, the following points should be and Iraqi traders. On the other tackled. hand, the Guinean exports to Egypt are almost non-existent. The Political and Diplomatic Levels: Guinea is void of any Egyptian companies. In this vein, Conakry The real determination of the lead- had recently paid visits to several ers of both countries should be pro- Egyptian businessmen who unani- vided. A clear strategic plan should mously agreed on the ability of the also be applied, including the mu- Guinean market to accommodate tual visits of the officials of both Egyptian products and investments. countries. However, the political and economic In this vein, it is worthy to point to instability which Guinea is currently the fact that since the death of Presi- suffering from do not encourage the dent Ahmed Sékou Touré in the Egyptian and Arab businessmen to 1980s, no Egyptian visits had been invest there. paid to Guinea on the presidential There are also a number of signed levels, yet some official visits had cooperation agreements between been paid including that of the Dep- both governments in various fields, uty Assistant Secretary of State for including: foreign relations, higher Central and West Africa in 2009 to education, scientific research, trade, identify the opinions of the military investment, tourism, health and air regime of Guinea for the future of transport. the political situation. As regards the mutual committee, In 2008, the Guinean ministry of on March 25, 1982, Egypt and defense paid a visit to Egypt in order Guinea signed a mutual protocol to to tackle the horizons of military establish their mutual high ministe- cooperation. And in 2006, the Gui- rial committee in order to foster the nean ministry of cooperation also cooperation relations between both paid a visit to Egypt. states. In this respect, five sessions Trade Agreements have been convened as follows: - 1st session in Conakry, February According to informed sources, 1983. total amount of Egyptian exports to - 2nd session in Cairo, 7-9 February Guinea do not exceed LE 500,000 1987. Volume 12 - Issue 43 – 2015 43 African Perspectives - 3rd session in Conakry, March ernment can benefit from the 1998. Egyptian experience in this field - 4th session in Cairo, 19-22 under the slogan (the South-South December 1990. cooperation as a real means for - 5th session in Cairo, 18-20 development). December 2004. - Both countries can cooperate in Moreover, a strict legal framework the field of tourism and hospitality, and a clear-cut political commit- Egypt possesses accumulated ex- ment should be provided from both perience in this field, thanks to its sides. It is important in this respect unique civilizational and archeo- to encourage the financial compa- logical sites. In this vein, the Gui- nies and institutions; African Devel- nean government can sign con- opment Bank (AFDB), Economic tracts with Egyptian companies, Commission for Africa (ECA), Afri- especially the Arab Contractors as c a n E x p o r t - Import Bank regards constructing hotels and (Afreximbank), Arab Bank for Eco- tourist resorts in Guinea. nomic Development in Africa (BADEA), Islamic Development Fostering Cooperation in the Field Bank and other related socio- of Religious and Cultural Affairs: economic African and Arab institu- tions, to further foster the Egyptian- “Egypt and Guinea” are two of the Guinean cooperation. pioneering Islamic states that had contributed to the establishment of Economic and Investment Fields: the OIC. Egypt has wide experience in the fields of religious endowment, - As regards the agriculture field, zakat and Islamic Affairs, being the the natural geography of Guinea cradle of human civilization and a shows vast areas of arable lands. cultural crossing from the Arab Guinea is also the source of the Mashreq to Sub-Saharan Africa. It most important rivers and valleys is also the seat of al-Azhar and Cairo in West Africa. Within this frame- Universities; two of the most ancient work, both countries can cooper- universalities in the Islamic World. ate in the fields of agriculture, fishing, livestock, and poultry Such specifications and idiosyncra- farming. sies are a main factor in consolidat- ing cooperation between both coun- - Both countries can cooperate in tries, especially in the fields of reli- the field of cars, trucks and trac- gious endowment, zakat, pilgrimage tors assembly. The Guinean gov- and minor pilgrimage and training 44 SIS African Perspectives Guinean cadres in the field of the - Cooperation between both states tolerant Islmaic Da’wah (Call). should be created in the fields of communication and advanced tech- In the field of education and scien- nology (Internet and networks). tific research, cooperation agree- ments signed between the Egyptian - Cooperation between the Egyptian and Guinean ministries of higher Radio and Television Union and its education and scientific research Guinean counterpart should be fos- should be activated. Scholarships tered, so as to receive the utmost should also be granted for Guinean benefit from the Egyptian experi- students to study in the Egyptian ence in the field of covering the ra- universities. It is also beneficial to dio and television programmes, es- exchange research and studies, to pecially the cultural and religious cooperate in the field of translation ones. and publication and to teach the Arabic language in Guinean Univer- - Cooperation among the major sities and vice versa. Egyptian newspapers (al-Ahram, Akhbar al-Youm, al-Gomhoureya) Information and Advanced Tech- and “Guinea News” should be cre- nology: ated in order to benefit from the Egyptian experience in the field of - An information and cultural editing, designing, layout and pub- strategy should be applied based on lication. enhancing the intellectual and cul- tural communication. Public opin- The Sports Field: ion in both states should be aware of the importance of fostering the Sports competitions should be held Egyptian-Guinean relations that between both countries; thus posi- had deteriorated upon the death of tively contributing to entrenching President Gamal Abdel Nasser. relations between the peoples of both countries. Volume 12 - Issue 43 – 2015 45.