A Guinean opposition coalition announced a peaceful anti-junta protest for September 5, marking three years since the military coup. The Living Forces of Guinea (FVG), comprising opposition parties, trade unions, and civil society groups, called on people in Conakry to denounce the junta’s repression and demand a return to civilian rule by year-end.
The coalition urged all Guineans to mobilize for justice for the victims of the ruling National Committee of Reconciliation and Development (CNRD). Since their takeover in September 2021, military leaders have shown little intention of honouring their promise to cede power by late 2024, as pressured by ECOWAS.
Junta chief Mamady Doumbouya has overseen severe crackdowns on dissent, leading to the detention or exile of many opposition figures. The FVG is advocating for the restoration of public freedoms and the halt of arbitrary legal actions against political and civil society leaders, demanding a return to constitutional order before December 31, 2024, in line with prior commitments.
The coalition is also fighting for the release of anti-junta activists Oumar Sylla (Fonike Mengue) and Mamadou Billo Bah, who “disappeared” after their arrest on July 9, while Guinean authorities deny holding them.
The FVG urged the junta to adhere to the Transition Charter, which prohibits CNRD, CNT (National Transitional Council), and government members from participating in elections. A draft constitution proposed by the junta in July was promptly rejected by the FVG, who argued it would enable military leaders to run in elections and hinder a return to civilian governance. The junta plans to hold a referendum on the constitution before the end of the year.