Guinea’s ruling junta has suspended three of the country’s main political parties, including that of former president Alpha Condé, just weeks before a referendum on a new constitution.
According to an order seen by AFP on Saturday, the Rally of the Guinean People, the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea led by former prime minister Cellou Dalein Diallo, and the Party of Renewal and Progress have all been barred from political activity for three months. The order cited “failure to meet obligations” as the reason for the suspension.
The move comes as opposition parties and civil society groups prepare demonstrations from September 5 to protest what they describe as a power grab by junta leader General Mamadi Doumbouya. The referendum on the draft constitution is scheduled for September 21, with the campaign period now shifted to begin on August 31.
Doumbouya seized power in September 2021, toppling Condé after a decade in office. Since then, his military-led government has banned protests, pursued opposition leaders through arrests and prosecutions, and forced others into exile.
A draft constitution presented in June paves the way for a return to civilian rule, but does not clarify whether Doumbouya himself could stand in presidential elections. A “transition charter” drawn up shortly after the coup had barred junta leaders and government officials from contesting future polls — a restriction that could be removed under the new text.
Critics say the referendum risks entrenching military rule under the guise of constitutional reform, in a country long scarred by authoritarian governments.
