Bouréma Condé was a prominent Guinean military and politician, who had ascended all levels of military and civil administration. From a modest Manding family, this division general and training agronomist engineer has undertaken an at least atypical journey, ranging from the rank of recruited soldier to the highest positions such as minister, governor and chief of staff.
His impressive administrative rise, marked by challenges but driven by an unwavering dedication to the service of the Guinean nation, makes him a respected figure in military and political terms. From deputy prefect to key minister of territory and decentralization under the presidency of Alpha Condé, Bouréma Condé has marked the recent institutional developments in Guinea.
Introduction
Bouréma Condé is a leading Guinean agronomist, military engineer and politician. His atypical career led him to climb the ranks in military and civilian administrations, ranging from recruited soldier to Division General, and from deputy prefect to minister in various departments. From a modest but rooted family in the traditional Mandinga society, he dedicated his life to the service of the Guinean nation.
Military Education and Training
After studying at the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, Bouréma Condé obtained his inter-armed military patent in 1981. From 1982 to 1984, he served as an instructor at the Inter-Armed Military School, before joining the group of infantry officers in Montpellier, France from 1984 to 1985, specializing in motorized infantry.
Military career
Upon returning to Guinea, Condé held several key posts in the army: Major Officer at Kankan University (1986-1987), Secretary General of the 3rd Military Region of Kankan with the responsibility of the Operations-Instruction Office, Chief of Special Staff at the presidency (2011-2012), Commander-General of the Military Agriculture and Agro-Industrial Production Units, and finally Mission Adviser to the Presidency in 2014, while retaining his previous functions.
Political career
Bouréma Condé's political rise began in 1996 when he was appointed deputy prefect of Banankoro, a position he held until 2002. He then became prefect of Mandiana from 2004 to 2007, the only prefect to be re-elected from 33 after the general strikes in 2007. Transferred to N'Zérékoré as Prefect from 2007 to 2009, he was promoted to Governor of the same region in 2009. In 2010, he was briefly appointed Minister of Agriculture before returning to the post of Governor of N'Zérékoré the same year.
Ministre
Bouréma Condé's career peaked in 2015 when he was appointed Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization in successive governments under Alpha Condé. A strategic position he will hold until September 2021, playing a key role in the implementation of political agreements and overseeing the decentralization process in the country.
Published works
In addition to his official responsibilities, Bouréma Condé has also illustrated himself as an author with two major works:
- "Living and Serving: A Soldier's Journey in the Service of the Nation" (L'Harmattan Guinea, 2024) - An autobiography tracing his atypical journey in the service of Guinea.
- "Decentralization and Local Development in the Republic of Guinea" (The Harmattan Guinea, 2021) - A book analyzing the importance of decentralisation for local development in Guinea.
Private life
On a personal level, Bouréma Condé was hard tested by the death of his wife Hadja Mariame Bébé Keita in January 2022, after a long illness. A woman of exception, she said, she accompanied him throughout his journey beyond standard.
Conclusion
The trajectory of Bouréma Condé illustrates an unwavering dedication to the service of Guinea, both in the military ranks and in the highest spheres of civil administration. His dedication and achievements make him an inspiring example of leadership and patriotism for present and future generations. A writer in his class, he captured the essence of his journey to pass it on to the posterity through his autobiographical writings and reflections on local governance.
