According to Somparé, Conté "hid his physical suffering" for years "in order to give happiness to Guinea."[1] Conté had left the country for medical treatment on numerous occasions in the years preceding his death,[2] and speculation about his health had long been widespread. Contrary to his usual practice, Conté did not appear on television to mark Tabaski earlier in December 2008, and this sparked renewed speculation, as well as concern about the possibility of violence in the event of his death. At around the same time, a newspaper published a photograph suggesting that Conté was in poor physical condition and having difficulty standing up.