Guinea's attempt to shed military rule has hit the same wall of ethnic distrust that has for decades trapped the West African country in instability and poverty.

CONAKRY (Reuters) – Guinean President Alpha Conde appealed for calm on Friday after rival ethnic gangs fought with knives and truncheons in the capital in a third day of violence over an upco… ...

CONAKRY, Oct 23- Two years ago, Guinea's first freely-elected president Alpha Conde promised to unite ``every son'' of his nation; today the man with ambitions to become West Africa's Nelson ...

Ethnic politics now play a part in Guinea’s political crisis. Vincent Foucher, senior analyst for International Crisis Group, puts recent clashes into context for us. (Photo: AP Images).