2024-10-30 08:09:00
The political scene is reduced by half in Guinea Conakry: after a census and an evaluation campaign on the country’s political parties, the government announced, on Tuesday, October 29, the dissolution or suspension of 50% of them.
It is in a long report of 180 pages given by the Ministry of Territorial Administration Guinea presented the results of the party’s evaluation campaign launched last June. An assessment that Minister Ibrahim Khalila Condé justifies as a cleansing of Guinea’s political space.
Of 174 training courses evaluated, none are fully compliant. Around fifty were simply disbanded, another fifty were suspended due to invalid approval, no bank account or even too opaque management. They have three months left to comply.
Camara Touré Djénabou, coordinator of the reform and modernization of civil status and identity in the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, answered the microphone of our correspondent in Conakry, Muktar Bah. She explains: “ The end result is illegible approvals or approvals with fissued by the ministers of the Republic, you will also have political parties created since 1991 or 1992, which have never had a bank account. Others who are put under observation, this means that you have some who have at least 70% of your points according to the established criteria that we have established. We put them under observation so that they can complete the 30 points to be completed in the next three months.”.
Ultimatum for the main formations
This three-month ultimatum applies to many parties, including the main groups in Guinea, especially the RPG, the UFDG and the UFR, for not having a conference or for lack of proof of payment of contributions, among others. They can continue their activities, but they must regularize their situation within three months.
This does not particularly concern the Union of Democratic Forces in Guinea, explains the communications manager of the UFDG, Souleymane de Souza Konaté: ” In the evaluation itself, we have always said at the UFDG, it is usual for the MATD (Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization) to evaluate the entities for which it has the burden. It is for this reason that we participated in the exercise because it was legitimate for us ».
The parties of the president have fallen Coffin Alpha and his opponents Clou Alain Diallo and Sidya Touré are therefore under threat of suspension, although the three leaders are still in exile.
Opponents of the CNRD describe the move as a ploy to exclude charismatic leaders from the political game, and the candidacy of the interim president, Mamadi Doumbuyaseems more and more likely.
RFI
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Interview Between Time.news Editor and Political Expert on the Dissolution of Political Parties in Guinea
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, and thank you for joining us today. With the recent announcement from Guinea Conakry’s government about the suspension and dissolution of nearly half of the country’s political parties, there’s a lot to unpack. Joining us is Dr. Aminata Diallo, a renowned political analyst and expert on West African politics. Dr. Diallo, what does this significant move by the Guinea government signify for the political landscape of the country?
Dr. Aminata Diallo (DAD): Thank you for having me. This is indeed a pivotal moment for Guinea. The government’s action reflects a desire to streamline the political parties and possibly eliminate what they perceive as inefficiencies and corruption. However, it raises concerns about political representation and freedom of association in the country. Essentially, this move indicates that the government is taking a more authoritarian approach to governance.
TNE: It seems like the government’s report cites chronic issues of non-compliance amongst these political parties. Could you elaborate on what this non-compliance means for the affected parties and their future?
DAD: Absolutely. The report indicates that out of 174 evaluated political parties, none were fully compliant with the established regulations. Many lacked essential features like proper bank accounts and transparent management. This is significant, as it demonstrates a failure not only of these parties to meet basic legal requirements but also of the regulatory framework that governs them. The affected parties now face an ultimatum: they have three months to rectify these issues or face permanent dissolution. This puts immense pressure on political groups that may already be struggling for resources and legitimacy.
TNE: The Minister of Territorial Administration, Ibrahim Khalila Condé, has framed this as a “cleansing” of the political space. Do you see this as an attempt at modernizing the political system, or does it lean more towards political suppression?
DAD: That’s a delicate balance to assess. On one hand, the idea of modernizing the political landscape can be appealing, especially if it leads to a more organized and transparent political framework. However, the timing and execution of this initiative suggest political suppression. Disbanding half of the political parties overnight does not typically align with genuine democratic reform. Instead, it can be seen as an attempt to consolidate power and marginalize dissenting voices.
TNE: The report mentions that some parties are under observation and could possibly regain their standing if they meet specific criteria. What could that process look like, and how likely is it that these parties can actually comply?
DAD: The three-month timeframe to comply is quite short, especially for parties operating with limited resources. The government has laid out specific criteria for compliance, though the exact details haven’t been fully disclosed. It will involve not only rectifying their administrative process but also demonstrating financial transparency. For many smaller parties lacking institutional support, this could be an insurmountable challenge, and thus, we may see further fragmentation in the political sphere.
TNE: As a final thought, what implications does this political realignment have for Guinea’s civil society and democratic processes going forward?
DAD: The implications are potentially dire. A reduction in the number of political parties could stifle political pluralism and limit the citizens’ choices during elections, ultimately diminishing the public’s trust in democratic institutions. Moreover, civil society organizations that often act as a counterbalance to government power may also be impacted. It creates an environment where dissent could be more easily silenced. Therefore, it is crucial for civil society, the international community, and political actors within Guinea to advocate for an environment that fosters democracy rather than defending power through suppression.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Diallo, for your insights into this complex situation. It will be interesting to see how the political scene in Guinea evolves in the coming months.
DAD: Thank you for having me; I look forward to watching these developments closely.
TNE: And thank you to our audience for tuning in to this important discussion. Stay with us for more updates on this unfolding story.