The LORD reigns Guinea, It is established, firm and secure.
The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure(Psalm 93:1 NIV)
》 Country Profile
Continent | Africa
Population | 13.23 million
Area | 245,857 km² (located on the Atlantic coast of Northwest Africa.)
Capital City | Conakry (2.11 million people)
People Groups | Total 47 groups (Fulani: 44.4%/ Malinke: 27.2%/ Soussou: 8.4%/ Kissi: 4.5%/ Kpelle: 4.4%/ Toma: 1.8%)
People Groups Unreached | 29 groups (86.9% of the population)
Offical Language(s) | French , Fulfulde, Malinke, Susu
Total Languages | 44
Bible Translations | Completed 12, New Testament 13, Partial 6
Religion | Christianity: 4.2% (Protestant 1%, Catholic 1.6%, Unregistered 1.5%, Evangelical Christians: 0.7%) / Islam: 88.3% / Ethnic Religions: 7.5%
》 About Guinea
Guinea was introduced to Islam in the 11th century through the neighboring Almoravid Empire. Guinea became a French colony in 1866 and was part of French West Africa from 1904. It gained independence in 1958. At that time, President Sékou Touré declared Guinea a Republic. He introduced socialist policies based on the Guinea Democratic Party. Touré ruled until 1982, but he died in 1984. That same year, Lansana Conté seized power through a military coup and ruled as a dictator for 24 years. After Conté’s death, Guinea experienced turmoil with military coups and anti-government protests. In 2010, Alpha Condé was democratically elected as the first civilian president and was re-elected in 2015 and 2020.
On September 5, 2021, Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, commander of Guinea’s special forces, staged a coup, detaining President Alpha Condé and dissolving the government. He closed the borders, suspended the constitution, and disbanded the National Assembly. Later, in October, he declared himself president.
Guinea’s economy relies heavily on agriculture, with over 70% of the population relying on agriculture to survive. Most of the population lives in poverty. Poverty is particularly severe in rural areas and among women and children. The Ebola virus outbreak in 2014-15 caused significant social and economic damage. Guinea has the world’s largest bauxite reserves, as well as untapped high-grade iron ore deposits, gold, and diamonds. It also has fertile soil, ample rainfall, and is the source of several major rivers in West Africa, such as the Senegal, Niger, and Gambia rivers. Its hydroelectric potential is substantial, and it could become a major power exporter. Guinea’s main exports are gold, bauxite, and diamonds. However, chronic electricity shortages, poor roads, railways, bridges, and lack of access to clean water hinder economic development.
Guinea’s GDP per capita is approximately $2,600.
》 Scripture Focus
| Psalm 93:1-5(NIV) 1 The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty;the LORD is robed in majesty and armed with strength;indeed, the world is established, firm and secure. 2 Your throne was established long ago;you are from all eternity. 3 The seas have lifted up, LORD,the seas have lifted up their voice;the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. 4 Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,mightier than the breakers of the sea—the LORD on high is mighty. 5 Your statutes, LORD, stand firm;holiness adorns your housefor endless days. |
》 Prayer Points
1. Guinea is an Islamic country with 88% of the population being Muslim. In the past, religious freedom was granted in response to the violence by communist Muslim extremist groups, leading to a gradual increase in Muslim converts. However, The Christian population in Guinea is just over 4%. Among them, evangelicals are a small minority of about 90,000, which is less than 1% of the population. Most Christians are concentrated in the capital city, Conakry, and the southern regions, where the Kissi, Kpelle, and Toma ethnic groups reside. Guinea has three Bible schools and various training programs to equip pastors and leaders.
Let us pray that the churches in Guinea, despite the challenging spiritual environment, may be filled with the knowledge of God and become witnesses of the Gospel.
2. International mission organizations such as the International Mission Board (IMB), Christian Missionary Alliance (CMA), Serving In Mission (SIM) International, New Tribes Mission (NTM), and Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM) are serving in Guniea. These organizations have long been united and have been working together for the mission in this land. Let us thank God for the Guinean missionaries who are serving overseas through various missionary training programs. Many mission organizations work together as part of the Association des Eglises et Missions Evangeliques en Guinee (AEMEG). They cooperate to spread the gospel and plant churches among almost all ethnic groups.
Let us pray that God will send a wave of the gospel in Guinea, greater than the waves of the sea, so that more disciples of Jesus Christ will be raised up.
3. Fulbe(or Futa Jalon) are a strongly Muslim people group and known as the custodians of Islam throughout West Africa. There is a partnership of mission organizations attempting to reach the Fulbe with the gospel. SIM in Guinea focuses primarily on the Malinke. There are now a few Malinke churches with Malinke leaders. In Guinea, over 60% of the population is under 24 years old, but the youth unemployment rate is around 60%, causing many young people to lose hope. Female Circumcision is a common practice among girls in Guinea, leading to high rates of infant and maternal mortality.
Let us pray that missionaries and churches, as faithful servants of Christ, will reach the unreached people groups and the next generation in Guinea, spreading the life-giving power of the gospel.
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