Conakry, Guinea’s capital, faced widespread disruption on Thursday as a protest movement marked three years since the military coup.
The protest, which turned deadly the previous day, commemorated the junta’s takeover on September 5, 2021.
On Wednesday, clashes between police and demonstrators in Conakry’s Sofonia area resulted in the death of a woman shot while in a taxi.
The opposition, calling for a peaceful demonstration, seeks to denounce the junta’s crackdown on dissent and demand a return to civilian rule by the year’s end.
Conakry’s streets were largely deserted early Thursday as torrential rain swept through the city.
The junta, led by General Mamady Doumbouya, has enforced a ban on all demonstrations since 2022.
Amnesty International reports that at least 47 people have died as a result of the crackdown from September 2021 to April 2024.
Despite initial promises to transition to civilian leadership by the end of 2024, the junta has shown little intention of fulfilling this commitment.
Retired civil servant Malick Sidibe expressed his dismay, stating his frustration with Doumbouya’s broken promises.
Similarly, Dr. Ansoumane Camara voiced disappointment but remained hopeful that the leader could still make positive changes.
Currently, General Doumbouya is attending a summit in China with other African leaders.
