Anti-junta protests are often carried out in Guinea. According to multiple sources including the BBC, anti-junta protests were held and the riot police clashed with protesters in Conakry — the capital of Guinea — two days ago. Anti-junta protests took place in the northern town of Labe and at Nzerekore in the southeast too. Definitely, anti-junta protests were carried out many times in the last several years with the demand for returning to civilian rule. Anti-junta groups including the National Front for the Defence of the Constitution (a coalition of twenty political parties, trade unions and civil society organizations) called demonstrations and violent clashes erupted several times in 2022 between anti-junta protesters and the junta. Several protesters died in clashes.
Despite a hope for positive political change after the overthrow of President Alpha Conde, who held power since 2010, in 2021 driven by autocratic overreach, economic mismanagement and eroding democratic norms and coming to power by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya as the head of the military government, the Guinean political problem has not been resolved. It is pertinently notable that the junta government of Guinea pledged to hand over power to elected civilians within three years immediately after the military coup. The positive aspect is that the military government reduced the timeline to two years after the Economic Community of West African States demanded it to be shorter last year. But there is no notable progress on the transition to civilian government yet. Also, the protest of opposition groups including the FNDC, which also protested against former president Alpha Conde targeting his bid for a third term in office, is brutally suppressed in the country.
Definitely, it is desired that there is a peaceful transition to civilian rule in Guinea. But there are ethnicity based and other barriers to a fast transition to civilian rule. Ethnic issues/problems in the composition of the National Council of Transition, which acts as the transitional parliament, and the complexity in the positioning of ethnic groups, which play crucial roles in Guinean politics, and powerful families in the preparation of elections and subsequent changes are important barriers. But a lack of willingness and commitment of the Junta government is probably the main barrier to the transition to civilian government in Guinea — the mineral-rich West African country that faces economic troubles, inadequate infrastructure, an inefficient bureaucracy and political uncertainty, along with many other problems.
It is desired that the reasoned concerns of Guinean protesters are heeded by the junta government. A peaceful return to civilian rule is needed on the basis of a credible election. Also, the brutal repression of opposition protests is desired to be ended and providing the scope for peaceful protest is imperative in Guinea. Addressing barriers by the parties is important for a peaceful transition. But talks between the opposition groups including the National Front for the Defense of the Constitution and the Doumbouya regime are crucial. A commitment of the junta government and ethnic groups is imperative. Also, global and regional powers can help resolve the transition-based crisis in Guinea. The ECOWAS may bring positive outcomes.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
