The more things change, the more they stay the same...

I'm just sure that I've used that subject line before, because it's true!! After the soldiers caused all that drama a couple weeks ago the police and customs people decided to do the EXACT same thing and strike. Unfortunately, customs officials and police are necessary for a functioning airport so the airport was closed for 2 days. We heard the Air France flight coming in last night (yes, there are so few flights that depending on the day and the time you know exactly what flight it is!) and we heard that they sent scabs to the airport to do the customs and security stuff. Cam's mom is leaving tonight so I really hope that's the case!!!!

Here's the BBC article about the police strike. As always, rest assured that we are safe. All the problems are going on in town and that's far from the compound. After this post I'll put up some pictures from Cheryl's trip here. Despite the continuous political uncertainty we had a great time and she seems to have really enjoyed it, despite the flies, heat, and waking up to gunfire in Conakry! She wrote about 5 pages chronicling her experience so I'll pick out some highlights and put them up as well.

Guinea troops clash with police

Fighting has broken out in the West African state of Guinea between soldiers and striking police officers.

The two sides exchanged gunfire at the headquarters of a riot police unit in the capital, Conakry.
Some police officers have been on strike over pay and conditions since Monday, and held the head of the police force hostage for several hours.

The protest follows an army mutiny last month that led to salary increases and promotions for the soldiers.

BBC West Africa correspondent Will Ross says soldiers exchanged fire with a group of striking policeman.

A number of casualties have been reported on both sides. Some police have been taken to an army barracks.

At least two soldiers were killed, a senior army officer told Reuters news agency.

Witnesses told Reuters and the AFP news agency that the bodies of at least four policeman were seen laid out afterwards.

Risky precedent

Protesting policemen took the police commander and other senior officers captive after starting their strike, before releasing them later on Monday.

A police delegation was expected to meet the prime minister on Tuesday. The police are demanding provisions of rice as well as improved pay. With prices escalating, basic salaries can barely cover the cost of feeding a family, our correspondent says.

Last month, the government set a precedent that some people would describe as risky, he says.
When soldiers went on the rampage over their conditions - and held one of their own superiors captive - they were rewarded with promotion and a payment of more than $1,000 in salary arrears.

The country's aging president, Lansana Conte, recently sacked the prime minister who had been appointed last year as part of a deal to end deadly anti-government protests across the country.

In much of West Africa, police supplement their incomes by extorting bribes at roadblocks.

Our correspondent says that while the army and police can use their guns to demand more money, the rest of the population has to struggle on, increasingly frustrated with Guinea's politicians.