Ahmed Sekou Toure, the President of Guinea for 26 years and a symbol of African independence and defiance, died Monday in a Cleveland heart clinic. He was 62 years old. A peasant's son who became a union leader before entering politics, Mr. Toure led his western African country to independence from France in 1958 and then served as its only President so far. Radio reports from Conakry, the capital, said the Guinean Prime Minister, 61-year-old Lansana Beavogui, had stepped in as ''acting President.'' But Western diplomats said they thought that Dr. Beavogui, who has been in fragile health, was unlikely to succeed Mr. Toure on a long-term basis.Among those seen as likely contenders for power are Mamadi Keita, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Isma"el Toure, Minister of Mines and Geology and younger brother of the late President. Covert, dissident and opposition groups are also known to exist within the country as well as in Paris, in Dakar, Senegal and here in Abidjan. But diplomats say they doubt whether these groups are either well organized or well equipped enough to assert themselves at this point.The Guinean leader dealt ruthlessly with opponents; thousands of people disappeared during purges in the 1970's, according to Amnesty International, the human rights organization. He attacked tribal, caste and religious loyalties in the largely Moslem country and nurtured a personality cult around himself.
It was estimated that 1.5 million or more Guineans, or about a third of the population, emigrated, mostly to nearby countries, during a period of iron rule and a declining economy. The People's Revolutionary Republic of Guinea, a former French colony in western Africa, was proclaimed an independent country on Oct. 2, 1958, four days after 95 percent of its voters decided in a referendum to leave the French Community. The leader of the Democratic Party of Guinea, Ahmed Sekou Toure, became President and his organization the only political party.
Guinea has an area of 94,926 square miles, about twice the size of New York State. According to a mid-1983 estimate, Guinea has a population of 5,430,000. Conakry, the capital, is a city of 525,000 inhabitants. Two-thirds of the population is Moslem, one-third animist. Besides French, eight African languages are taught in schools. Government The National Assembly, a one- chamber legislature, consists of 210 members elected for seven years, with all candidates nominated by the ruling Democratic Party. The President, who is also elected for seven years, appoints a Council of Ministers.
Guinea is one of the leading world producers of bauxite, which is exported to Western countries and to the Soviet Union. More than 80 percent of the people work in agriculture, where the cash crops are coffee, bananas, palm kernels, peanuts and pineapples.
The army, consisting of 8,500 men, is equipped with Soviet, Czechoslovak and Chinese weapons and armored cars. There is also a militia of 9,200 men. The navy, with 600 men, has a minesweeper and numerous coastal and other craft. The air force, with 800 men, is said to have 6 MIG-7 jet fighters, 2 MIG trainers, several transport planes and a few helicopters.
Source: New York Times
