2023-05-11 13:04:24
The clashes injured at least eight protesters and two in the ranks of the police, a medical source told AFP, who requested anonymity for fear for his safety. Groups of very mobile young people threw stones at the security forces who responded by throwing tear gas in several districts of the capital. Witnesses reported to AFP demonstrations also in Labé (north) and Nzérékoré (southeast).
The Forces vives de Guinée, a collective made up of parties, unions and civil society organizations, have called for a series of demonstrations in Conakry and across the country starting on Wednesday. They demand the opening of a credible dialogue with a view to a rapid return of civilians to the leadership of the country, the lifting of the ban on all demonstrations introduced by the junta in 2022 and the release of their imprisoned members as well as the stop what they denounce as a “harassment” judicial exercised by the authorities.
Among the demands is the release of three civil society figures, Oumar Sylla, alias Foniké Mangué, Ibrahima Diallo and Mamadou Billo Bah. Protests resume as religious leaders attempt to mediate between the collective and the junta that toppled President Alpha Condé in 2021.
The junta said it was ready to release Foniké Mangué, Ibrahima Diallo and Mamadou Billo Bah and to lift the judicial control measures imposed on a number of opponents, the mediation said in a statement. The three men’s lawyers, however, reported that the junta made their release conditional on them abandoning their commitment, which they refused.
Guinean Prime Minister Bernard Gomou on Wednesday reaffirmed the junta’s readiness to discuss with the opposition during an international meeting on water in Conakry. “The government strives to respond in accordance with legal procedures to all the demands of political and social movements. But some of them refuse to join the framework of inclusive dialogue” advocated by the junta, he said from the podium.
Mr. Gomou dismissed the accusations of “blocking” aimed at the authorities. “I take issue (against these allegations). The mediators, the religious, can attest to the efforts of our good faith. These calls to demonstrate are truly regrettable and the sponsors are solely responsible for them”, he added. The military has pledged under international pressure to make way for elected civilians by the end of 2024, the time to carry out deep reforms, they say.
AFP
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