Lansana Conté

General Lansana Conté (N'Ko: ߟߊ߲߭ߛߣߊ߬ ߞߐ߲ߕߋ߬; 30 November 1934 – 22 December 2008) was a Guinean politician and military officer who served as the second president of Guinea from 1984 until his death in 2008. Conté came to power in the 1984 Guinean coup d'état.

== Early life ==

Born in Moussayah Loumbaya (Dubréka), a member of the Susu ethnic group, he estimated his birthdate to be 1934, although he never knew exactly. Conté was educated at a local Quranic school and attended Dubréka primary school. He then went on to study at military preparatory schools in Bingerville, Côte d'Ivoire

and Saint Louis, Senegal.

== Military and government service ==

In 1955, he enlisted in the French Army and was posted to Algeria during the war of independence in 1957. After his service in the French Army, Conté returned to Guinea, which became independent from France on 2 October 1958, and was integrated into the new army with the rank of sergeant. In 1962, he attended the Camp Alpha officers' school in Conakry. Soon after, he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion artillery-training centre in Kindia. On 1 July 1963, he was promoted to Second Lieutenant. This was followed two years later by another promotion...