Touré, Sékou, << too RAY, SAY koo >> (1922-1984), became Guinea’s first president in 1958 and held that position until his death. His government took nearly total control of Guinea’s economy. Though Touré worked to build ties among African nations, he often acted with mistrust in his international relations. He remained in power by crushing his political opponents.
Touré was born in Faranah on Jan. 9, 1922. He rose in politics as a trade union leader in French Guinea, then a French territory. He led French Guinea to independence in 1958. He died in Cleveland, Ohio, on March 26, 1984.
