Eugène Camara facts for kids
Eugène Camara (born January 21, 1942 – died November 22, 2019) was an important politician from the country of Guinea. He served for a short time as the Prime Minister of Guinea in February 2007.
Early Life and Work
Eugène Camara was born in a place called Nzérékoré in Guinea. He went to school in Guinea first. Then, from 1957 to 1959, he studied in Senegal. After that, he came back to Guinea to finish his education in Conakry, the capital city.
In the early 1970s, Mr. Camara started working in government roles. He was a "General Coordinator" at a furniture factory. This meant he helped manage the factory for the government's Ministry of Industry and Energy. Later, he helped manage the money for industry and energy projects. From 1973 to 1974, he was a "Deputy Director" in the Ministry of Industry and Energy.
In 1974, he went to Ljubljana, Yugoslavia, for special training. When he returned to Guinea, he became the "Director of Plan and Statistics" for the Ministry of Industry and Energy in 1977. From 1977 to 1984, he was the "Financial Director" for many projects in the Ministry of Industry. This meant he managed the money for these big plans.
From 1983 to 1985, Mr. Camara was the head of a special committee for a company called Salguidia. In 1985, he became the "Secretary General" of the Ministry of Industrial Development. This is a very high-level position in a government department.
In 1991, the President of Guinea, Lansana Conté, asked him to join a special committee. This committee was set up to help with national changes. From 1992 to 1994, he served as the "Governor" of the Guinée Forestière region. A governor is like a leader for a specific area. Then, from 1994 to 1997, he was the Governor of the Kindia region.
Mr. Camara continued to rise in government. On November 17, 1997, he was made the "Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research." A minister is in charge of a whole government department. He held this job until March 1, 2004. Then, he became the "Minister of the Plan." This role involved planning for the country's future. On January 19, 2007, he was given another important job: "Minister of State for Presidential Affairs." This meant he worked closely with the President.
Becoming Prime Minister
On February 9, 2007, President Conté chose Eugène Camara to be the Prime Minister. This happened after a big general strike in January. During the strike, many people protested. They wanted the President to choose a new Prime Minister who would truly lead the government.
The job of Prime Minister had been empty since April 2006. Before Mr. Camara, Prime Ministers in Guinea didn't always have a lot of power. But after the strike, the President agreed that the new Prime Minister would be the "head of government." This meant they would have more control.
However, many people were not happy with Mr. Camara's appointment. He was a member of the ruling party, called the Unity and Progress Party (PUP). The opposition groups saw him as part of the old government system. After he was appointed, there was violence in different parts of the country.
Labor unions, which represent workers, started the strike again on February 12. President Conté then declared "martial law" on the same day. This meant the military took control to keep order. The unions suggested that Mr. Camara could stay as Prime Minister for three months as a trial. But they rejected this idea on February 20.
Finally, on February 25, it was announced that President Conté had agreed to choose a new Prime Minister. This new person would come from a list picked by the unions and other groups. The unions then said the strike would end on February 27. President Conté chose Lansana Kouyaté as the new Prime Minister on February 26. On March 1, Eugène Camara was there when Mr. Kouyaté officially took his oath of office. President Conté was not present at this ceremony.
Death
Eugène Camara passed away in Cairo, Egypt, on November 22, 2019.
See also
- Politics of Guinea
