The African Democratic Party of Guinea (French: Parti démocratique africain de Guinée), initially called Democratic Party of Guinea-Ahmed Sékou Touré (Parti démocratique de Guinée-Ahmed Sékou Touré) is a political party in Guinea. PDG-AST was founded in January 1994, following a split in the Democratic Party of Guinea-African Democratic Rally (PDG-RDA).[1] The party was led by Marcel Cross, father-in-law of Toure's son Mohammed.[2]
In the lead-up to the split in PDG-RDA, the PDG-AST founders largely centered their criticism against the party leader Ismael Gushein, whom they accused of 'political scheming'.[3] In the bitterness around the party split, PDG-RDA branded PDG-AST as 'traitors'.[4] PDG-AST upheld the legacy of the 12th PDG party congress, which had opened up for political and economic reforms.[4] Whilst PDG-RDA became supportive of the government of Lansana Conte, PDG-AST joined the opposition camp.[5] PDG-AST had a following among Malinke officers purged after the end of Sekou Toure's rule.[6]
Following the election, PDG-AST joined the Democratic Opposition Coordination (CODEM), a movement of 12 opposition parties protesting against the legitimacy of the official election result.[1][9] Subsequently, the Supreme Court, based on a request from PDG-RDA, withdrew the registration of PDG-AST as a political party.[10] The party subsequently took the name PDAG.
Ahead of the 1998 Guinean presidential election, PDAG had entered a pact to support the candidature of RPG leader Alpha Condé.[11] The day before the election, security forces raided Cross' residence, arrested him and claimed that he was amassing arms for a coup d'état.[11] He was released two months later.[12]
