The Union of Press Professionals of Guinea (SPPG), the country’s main press union, threatened an unlimited general strike on Monday after the ruling military junta banned several major media outlets.
This latest move follows the withdrawal of operating licenses for radio stations FIM FM, Radio Espace FM, Sweet FM, and Djoma FM, as well as Djoma TV and Espace TV, last week.
The junta justified the ban by citing “failure to comply with the content of the specifications” and accusing the outlets of “frequent misconduct” and violating “human dignity,” without providing specifics.
Sekou Jamal Pendessa, the SPPG’s secretary general, condemned the move as a silencing tactic.
“[The authorities] want silence in the country… there will be silence all the way to the presidency,” Pendessa declared at a press conference.
He called for the ban’s withdrawal and announced plans to meet with other trade unions on Saturday to strategize a unified response.
This isn’t the junta’s first attempt to muzzle the press.
Since seizing power in 2021, they’ve implemented various media restrictions. In February, Pendessa’s arrest and similar media restrictions sparked a three-day general strike that crippled the country.
The current situation presents a worrying escalation for Guinea.
The potential for an unlimited general strike threatens economic disruption, while the media ban raises concerns about a continued crackdown on dissent.
The international community will likely be watching closely as Guinea teeters on the brink of a renewed period of instability.
