Despite its long history of autocratic and repressive rule since independence in 1958, Guinea has made remarkable strides toward democracy over the past five years. In 2011, Freedom House gave Guinea a record high rating of 5 in both the political rights and civil liberties categories, which put Guinea in the partly free category for the first time.However, Guinea’s democracy remains fragile and vulnerable. Strengthening its embryonic democratic institutions poses major challenges due to the weight of Guinea’s past.
Guinea’s principal democracy and governance (DG) problem is how to overcome the legacy and habits of a century of autocratic colonial and post-colonial rule that hindered the development of a democratic culture and functioning democratic institutions. Our analysis indicates that the absence of the rule of law and different forms of exclusion are the most essential factors hindering the development of a democratic culture and institutions in Guinea.