In addition to protecting the three countries' common border, the force's mandate includes facilitating the free movement of persons and ensuring security for humanitarian agencies and refugees. Representing mostly soldiers who fled the country after 1985 and the 1996 attempted coups, the RDFG is fighting to end President Lansana Conte's rule. Conte gained power in 1984 in a successful military coup and has run Guinea as a civilian president following elections in 1993. In 1998, Conte won a second five-year term in presidential elections marred by violence and public unrest. Guinean President Lansana Conte accuses Liberia and Burkina Faso of supporting the rebels to exploit his country's mineral wealth.
Guinea is rich in mineral resources with main exports of alumina, bauxite, gold, and diamonds.
Liberia denies these allegations and accuses Guinea of backing Monrovia's armed opponents in northern Liberia. In an address broadcast by state radio and television, President Lansana Conte said that neighbouring leaders had been attracted by his country's mineral wealth. He named President Charles Taylor of Liberia and Blaise Campaore of Burkina Faso, but said others were also involved.