General Lansana Diané (1922-1985) was a Guinean politician and military figure, an influential personality in Sékou Touré's regime during the First Republic. A member of the Rassemblement Démocratique Africain (RDA) before independence, he held several strategic positions after 1958, including regional governor, Minister of the Popular Army, and Minister of Justice. Loyal to the regime, he played a key role in repressing opponents, especially following the Mer Verte Operation in 1970. After the death of Sékou Touré in 1984, he unsuccessfully attempted to preserve the power of the civilian government against the military coup led by Lansana Conté. Captured and imprisoned, he was executed in Kindia in 1985, marking the end of a political era in Guinea.
Introduction
General Lansana Diané is a prominent figure in the political history of Guinea during the First Republic. Born in 1922, he was of the Malinké ethnicity, like many close associates of President Ahmed Sékou Touré. His political engagement began before Guinea's independence when he became one of the leaders of the Rassemblement Démocratique Africain (RDA).
In 1957, during a political meeting, he openly criticized the influence of the Church and the French colonial administration, stating that the state and the Church did not align with the African mindset. This revolutionary stance contributed to his rise in the Guinean political apparatus.
Military Career
After Guinea's independence in 1958, Lansana Diané held several strategic positions. He successively served as governor of the Kankan and Nzérékoré regions before commanding the Guinean contingent in the United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC) in 1960. However, his unit was withdrawn by Sékou Touré following the assassination of Patrice Lumumba.
Upon returning to Guinea, Diané was appointed governor of Labé, where he played an active role in repressing opponents of the regime. In 1965, he became Minister of the Popular Army and Civil Service, distinguishing himself through his loyalty to President Touré.
Role in Political Repression
Lansana Diané is accused of being a central figure in the repression following the failure of Operation Mer Verte in 1970, an attempted coup against the regime by Portuguese forces. Briefly captured during the attack, he managed to escape and became actively involved in the political purges orchestrated by the regime, which were marked by executions and arbitrary detentions at the infamous Camp Boiro.
Diané also played a diplomatic role, hosting Fidel Castro during his official visit to Guinea in 1972. Between 1976 and 1979, he served as Minister of Justice before returning to head the Ministry of the Popular Army in 1979.
Downfall and Execution
After the death of Sékou Touré in 1984, the government tried to maintain control amidst threats of a coup. Lansana Diané was sent to the army's headquarters to persuade officers not to seize power. He argued that all abuses were the fault of Touré and that the ministers had no choice but to obey.
However, he failed to convince the military. On the night of April 3, 1984, the army took control of the country under the leadership of General Lansana Conté. Diané was arrested, imprisoned, and eventually executed in Kindia in 1985.
Conclusion
Lansana Diané remains a controversial figure in Guinean political history. Loyal to Sékou Touré, he played a crucial role in consolidating and repressing the regime while being an influential military and diplomatic actor. His career highlights the political and military tensions that marked post-colonial Guinea and the tragic consequences of power struggles.
