Guinea lifts media restrictions ahead of referendum

________________

Guinea media can give voice to banned parties ahead of a September referendum, the president of the country's media regulator said, reversing an earlier decision to prohibit such coverage.

The junta-ruled west African country holds a referendum on September 21 that is in theory due to open the way for a return to civilian rule after the military seized power in 2021.

Last week, the head of the country's communications authority (HAC) Boubacar Yacine Diallo banned the media from giving a voice to suspended or dissolved political parties.

The move was denounced by the opposition, which called for demonstrations starting on September 5.

In a note sent to AFP on Monday, the HAC said that the media "must ensure compliance with the principle of equitable access to their channels, columns, and pages," without mentioning the ban.

Interviewed by AFP on Monday, Diallo said that the media could give a voice to parties suspended or dissolved by the junta.

He said that his remarks on Thursday "served as recommendations, and only the final HAC document can serve as the campaign rules".

Since 2022, the military-run government has banned all demonstrations, and has arrested, prosecuted or pushed into exile several opposition leaders.

Earlier this month the government suspended three main political parties -- including that of former president Alpha Conde -- for three months.

Several dozen other parties have already been recently suspended or dissolved.

The opposition has accused junta leader General Mamady Doumbouya of wanting to seize power through the September 21 referendum.