KEY POINTS
- Forces Vives coalition demands civilian rule in Guinea by Jan. 1.
- Public frustration rises as elections remain delayed by the junta.
- Draft constitution raises fears of prolonged military control.
Concerned with the junta’s lack of progress towards democratic elections, a coalition of Guinean opposition groups, civil society organisations, and activists known as Forces Vives called for the West African country to transition to civilian administration by January 1.
Forces Vives coalition calls for a transition to civilian rule
Alpha Condé, who had provoked public fury by extending his time in office through a contentious constitutional reform, was overthrown by the Guinean junta, which was led by Col. Mamady Doumbouya, in September 2021. Negotiations between the junta and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional organization that has steadfastly supported democratic governance in its member states, began after the coup.
At first, the junta consented to a two-year transition period beginning in 2022 and promising elections by 2024. But there hasn’t been much progress in setting up a vote, and the public is growing increasingly impatient with the glacial pace of change.
In the years after the coup, Guinea, one of the world’s leading producers of bauxite, has seen intermittent and occasionally violent protests, with civilians and opposition leaders regularly battling with security forces. Representatives from a range of political and civil society backgrounds make up the Forces Vives group, which has continuously advocated for a civilian-led transition and attacked the junta for what it sees as a purposeful delay in restoring democratic governance.
Draft constitution raises concerns over Military’s long-term influence
A new constitution draft was presented by Guinea’s transitional authorities in July, which they characterized as an essential step in the restoration of civilian administration.
The draft constitution, however, has sparked debate since it contains clauses that would permit Doumbouya to run for president in the future, which has many worried that he might try to use the legal system to justify his reign rather than resign. According to reuters, although the government has promised to hold a referendum on the constitution, many Guineans view this as a crucial step in the country’s democratic transition, and they have not yet announced the date of the vote.
In light of this dire circumstance, the Forces Vives of Guinea firmly urge solidarity and the mobilization of all military and civilian forces in the country to demand the junta’s overthrow and the creation of a civilian transition by January 1, the group said in a statement.
According to reuters, the circumstances in Guinea are indicative of a larger pattern in West Africa, where recent coups in nations such as Burkina Faso and Mali have raised questions among international observers over the stability of democratic institutions in the area.
