History of Guinea

Mali Empire, 1235–1670 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Mali Empire was an empire in West Africa. The empire began as a small Mandinka kingdom at the upper reaches of the Niger River, centered around the Manding region. The empire was founded by Sundiata Keita and became renowned for the wealth of its monarchs, especially Mansa Musa. The Mali Empire comprised land that is now part of Guinea, Senegal, Mauritania, the Gambia, and the modern state of Mali.

Seat of power: Kangaba

Imamate of Futa Jallon, 1725–1896 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Imamate of Futa Jallon was a West African Islamic state based in the Fouta Djallon highlands of modern Guinea. The state was founded in 1725 by a Fulani jihad and became part of French West Africa in 1896. The 19th century saw the golden age of Islam in Fouta Djallon, as the Imamate became a leading religious centre in West Africa.

Seat of power: Timbo

French Guinea, 1894–1958 Draft, not yet reviewed

French Guinea was a French colonial possession in West Africa. In 1895, French Guinea was made one of several dependent colonies and its Governor became one of several Lieutenant Governors who reported to a Governor-General in Dakar. It became independent from France in 1958 following its voters' rejection of Charles de Gaulle's Constitution of 1958. At the time French Guinea was the only colony to reject the new constitution.

Seat of power: Conakry

Guinea, 1958 to today Draft, not yet reviewed

Guinea, officially the Republic of Guinea, is a coastal country located in West Africa. Formerly French Guinea, it achieved independence in 1958. Guinea has a history of military coups d'état. In 2021, a military faction overthrew president Alpha Condé and suspended the constitution.

Seat of power: Conakry

Rulers

• Ahmed Sékou Touré, President of Guinea, 1958–1984
• Lansana Conté, President of Guinea, 1984–2008
• Louis Lansana Beavogui, President of Guinea, 1984–1984
• Moussa Dadis Camara, President of Guinea, 2008–2010
• Sékouba Konaté, President of Guinea, 2009–2010
• Alpha Condé, President of Guinea, 2010–2021
• Mamadi Doumbouya, President of Guinea, 2021 to today