Guinea’s military junta has suspended three main political parties, including that of former president Alpha Conde, for three months. The move comes ahead of a planned constitutional referendum and as nationwide protests are set to begin on September 5. Opposition leaders denounced the September 21 referendum as a power grab by junta head General Mamadi Doumbouya, who seized power in 2021.
Since taking office, Doumbouya’s military government has banned demonstrations and targeted opposition figures through arrests, prosecutions, or forced exile. The suspension affects Conde’s Rally of the Guinean People, the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea, and the Party of Renewal and Progress.
An official order stated the parties had not fulfilled required obligations but did not clarify the specific violations.The order gave the parties three months to rectify shortcomings or face further sanctions from the military government.
In a separate announcement, the junta delayed the start of the constitutional referendum campaign period by a week to August 31. Political tensions in Guinea have intensified since January when the military called for the political arena to be “sanitised” ahead of elections.
Earlier this year, the junta suspended 28 parties and dissolved 27 others over missing financial records or failure to hold regular congresses. International rights groups have condemned the junta’s crackdown on political dissent and independent media, citing growing restrictions in the country.
The new draft constitution could pave the way for a return to civilian rule but leaves uncertainty over Doumbouya’s eligibility to run in elections. Adopting the constitution may overturn the junta’s transition charter, which barred its leaders from contesting future elections in Guinea.
