World
Guinean opposition calls for end to 'dictatorship'
Army general Mamadi Doumbouya came to power in a coup in 2021, then was elected president in December last year, despite initially having promised to hand back power to civilians at the end of a transitional period.
Mamady Doumbouya was elected president of the Republic of Guinea in December last year. (AFP)
By: AFP ., Journalist @New Vision
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CONAKRY — Guinean opposition parties and civil society organisations on Monday called on "patriots" to "put an end to the dictatorship", as the president left the country on holiday.
Army general Mamadi Doumbouya came to power in a coup in 2021, then was elected president in December last year, despite initially having promised to hand back power to civilians at the end of a transitional period.
His office said he was travelling to Greece with his family "for a few days of rest" as part of his annual leave.
"Mamadi Doumbouya and his clan govern through terror, impose themselves by repression, violence and corruption," the Forces Vives of Guinea grouping said in a statement.
"This regime has gradually morphed into a dictatorship characterised by targeted killings, deaths in detention of civilian and military figures, enforced disappearances, abductions and acts of torture against opinion leaders."
They also condemned "the muzzling of the press" and the "arbitrary dissolution of dozens of the most representative political parties".
"Mamadi Doumbouya and his clan govern through terror, impose themselves by repression, violence and corruption," the Forces Vives of Guinea grouping said in a statement.
"This regime has gradually morphed into a dictatorship characterised by targeted killings, deaths in detention of civilian and military figures, enforced disappearances, abductions and acts of torture against opinion leaders."
They also condemned "the muzzling of the press" and the "arbitrary dissolution of dozens of the most representative political parties".
The president's supporters and allied parties won more than 80 per cent of seats in parliament at elections in May.
The FVG collective called the presidential and parliamentary elections a "sham" and said Guineans had been "deprived of the right to freely choose their leaders".
It urged "all Guinean patriots... to join them in putting an end to the dictatorship, restoring fundamental freedoms and working towards a genuine return to constitutional order".
In recent years, several political parties have been suspended, protests -- banned since 2022 -- have been suppressed, and many opposition and civil society leaders have been arrested, convicted or forced into exile.
The FVG collective called the presidential and parliamentary elections a "sham" and said Guineans had been "deprived of the right to freely choose their leaders".
It urged "all Guinean patriots... to join them in putting an end to the dictatorship, restoring fundamental freedoms and working towards a genuine return to constitutional order".
In recent years, several political parties have been suspended, protests -- banned since 2022 -- have been suppressed, and many opposition and civil society leaders have been arrested, convicted or forced into exile.