The main emphasis has been on economic change and the IMF-inspired efforts to diversify the economy away from its dependence on earnings from bauxite have had mixed results. Guinea's coffee industry is still throttled by the country's poor communications, particularly during the rainy season, and now faces a new threat from other countries' Arabica coffee, which is claimed to contain less caffeine than Guinea's Robusta variety. The gap between rich and poor is growing. In many areas slums surround towering villas and rich estates. Here there is an overpowering feeling of fear among the rich and of scorn from the less fortunate.
Guinea has huge deposits of unexplored mineral wealth.
Mainly Fulani, Malinke and Susu. Formerly part of the Mali empire which flourished between the seventh and fifteenth centuries. Previously profiled August 1984. The strain of refugees from Sierra Leone and Liberia is taking its toll. Major improvement over Sekou Tour s regime but government opponents are still detained and harassed.