Guinée : Urgence d’actions politiques concrètes pour un retour à l’ordre constitutionnel*

Guinea: Urgent need for concrete political actions for a return to constitutional order* While the country is going through a tumultuous transition, hopes for a return to constitutional order are fading. The junta leader’s statements about an election year in 2025 raise doubts about the real will to restore democracy. The Republic of Guinea is immersed in a deeply troubled socio-political period, marked by human rights violations and arbitrary arrests of political actors as well as members of civil society. Since the 2021 coup d’état, the transition to a stable constitutional order has proven to be a source of disillusionment for a large majority of citizens, including those who had initially supported the fall of democracy. These disappointments come despite the sacrifices made under the former regime and the legitimate aspirations of the Guinean people. In March 2024, a new government was formed under Prime Minister Oury Bah, following the lifting of economic sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in February 2024. However, the promise of a transition to a return to constitutional order, made by the CNRD in agreement with ECOWAS, has not been kept. The current government is struggling to restore regional and international relations, often to the detriment of internal democratic aspirations. The country’s socio-political actors, for their part, have observed with frustration their inability to influence the trajectory of the transition. The initial timetable for a return to constitutional order by the end of 2024 has not been met. Before this deadline, Prime Minister Bah Oury had publicly stated that it was impossible to organize elections in 2024 and unilaterally set a new deadline, once again excluding consultations with domestic stakeholders. It is in this context that General Mamadi Doumbouya renewed his promises during his New Year’s speech by announcing that 2025 would be an election year. However, recent statements by his Minister Spokesperson, Ousmane Gaoual Diallo, which raise doubts about the possibility of holding all the elections scheduled for this year, highlight the risk of an extension of the transition. Faced with this impasse, it is imperative to build a solid coalition between political and social actors to force the junta to leave power and thus respond to the aspirations of the Guinean people. Concerted, coordinated and strategic mobilization is essential to restore a true democratic order. Strategic action plan: Meeting with civil society actors: Consolidate a constructive dialogue with civil organizations to build a broader support base. Consultation with political actors, whether or not members of the Forces Vives: Promote unity among political actors with a view to joint action. Engagement with trade unions: Mobilize trade unions to increase pressure on the government in place. Dialogue with youth organizations: Encourage the active participation of young people in the struggle for democracy. Strengthening the mobilization of member organizations of the Social Forces in Conakry and in the regions: Expand the influence and presence of the Social Forces throughout the country. International lobbying and regional consultation: Organize a strategic meeting of socio-political actors in Ghana to increase international support. Launch of national demonstrations: Begin a series of demonstrations at the national level and in the ECOWAS region demanding the departure of the junta. The ultimate objective is clear: to unite all social and political forces to restore popular sovereignty and establish a genuine democratic regime, in line with the aspirations of the Guinean people. The Guinean people cannot afford to see their democratic rights stifled any longer. It is time for action, courage and unity to rebuild a nation based on justice, freedom and dignity.

Lancine SACKO

Guinea: Urgent need for concrete political actions for a return to constitutional order*

While the country is going through a tumultuous transition, hopes for a return to constitutional order are fading.

The junta leader’s statements about an election year in 2025 raise doubts about the real will to restore democracy.

The Republic of Guinea is immersed in a deeply troubled socio-political period, marked by human rights violations and arbitrary arrests of political actors as well as members of civil society.

Since the 2021 coup d’état, the transition to a stable constitutional order has proven to be a source of disillusionment for a large majority of citizens, including those who had initially supported the fall of democracy. These disappointments come despite the sacrifices made under the former regime and the legitimate aspirations of the Guinean people.

In March 2024, a new government was formed under Prime Minister Oury Bah, following the lifting of economic sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in February 2024. However, the promise of a transition to a return to constitutional order, made by the CNRD in agreement with ECOWAS, has not been kept.

The current government is struggling to restore regional and international relations, often to the detriment of internal democratic aspirations. The country’s socio-political actors, for their part, have observed with frustration their inability to influence the trajectory of the transition. The initial timetable for a return to constitutional order by the end of 2024 has not been met.

Before this deadline, Prime Minister Bah Oury had publicly stated that it was impossible to organize elections in 2024 and unilaterally set a new deadline, once again excluding consultations with domestic stakeholders.

It is in this context that General Mamadi Doumbouya renewed his promises during his New Year’s speech by announcing that 2025 would be an election year. However, recent statements by his Minister Spokesperson, Ousmane Gaoual Diallo, which raise doubts about the possibility of holding all the elections scheduled for this year, highlight the risk of an extension of the transition. Faced with this impasse, it is imperative to build a solid coalition between political and social actors to force the junta to leave power and thus respond to the aspirations of the Guinean people.

Concerted, coordinated and strategic mobilization is essential to restore a true democratic order. Strategic action plan: Meeting with civil society actors: Consolidate a constructive dialogue with civil organizations to build a broader support base.

Consultation with political actors, whether or not members of the Forces Vives: Promote unity among political actors with a view to joint action. Engagement with trade unions: Mobilize trade unions to increase pressure on the government in place. Dialogue with youth organizations: Encourage the active participation of young people in the struggle for democracy.

Strengthening the mobilization of member organizations of the Social Forces in Conakry and in the regions: Expand the influence and presence of the Social Forces throughout the country. International lobbying and regional consultation: Organize a strategic meeting of socio-political actors in Ghana to increase international support.

Launch of national demonstrations: Begin a series of demonstrations at the national level and in the ECOWAS region demanding the departure of the junta. The ultimate objective is clear: to unite all social and political forces to restore popular sovereignty and establish a genuine democratic regime, in line with the aspirations of the Guinean people. The Guinean people cannot afford to see their democratic rights stifled any longer. It is time for action, courage and unity to rebuild a nation based on justice, freedom and dignity.

Lancine SACKO