This is the largest wave of protest in the country since the military came to power in September 2021. Guinea experienced three days of general strike, at the initiative of thirteen trade union centers demanding a drop in prices basic necessities, an end to the repression against journalists as well as better salary conditions for civil servants.
On Wednesday February 28, its organizers announced the suspension of the social movement after the release by the Guinean courts of Sekou trade unionist Jamal Pendessa, secretary general of the Union of Press Professionals of Guinea (SPPG).
This was one of their main demands to end the strike that began on February 26.
An accumulation of tensions has led to this frontal standoff between the trade union centers, supported by the main political parties and several civil society organizations, and the military regime led by General Mamadi Doumbouya, whom its opponents accuse of authoritarian drift.
France 24 looks back at the causes of this multifaceted crisis.
Industrial accident and inflation
This social conflict broke out in a complicated economic context for Guinea, which two months ago experienced the most serious industrial accident in its history.
On the night of December 17 to 18, 2023, a powerful explosion destroyed the country's main oil depot, in the capital Conakry.
A disaster which left 24 dead, more than 200 injured and caused a serious supply crisis.
The day after the accident, the closure of gas stations by the authorities, to avoid speculation, angered many Guineans and clashes broke out in the capital.
Although these have since been reopened, the supply problem is far from being resolved.
Because despite the help of the Ivorian neighbor, which has committed to delivering 50 million liters of gasoline per month, the country remains deprived of its main hydrocarbon storage capacity.
This shortage has accentuated already high inflation due to the increase in the cost of imports, linked to the post-Covid-19 period, the war in Ukraine, or even the drop in maritime traffic in the Red Sea.
It added to a problem more specific to Guinea, which the government had undertaken to resolve.
"Unlike its neighbors like Ivory Coast or Senegal, Guinea has not until now imposed price controls on foodstuffs. Each trader could freely set the price of his goods, which, in a period of crisis as currently, can pose big problems", explains Guinean economist Mamadi Kaba.
At the end of January 2024, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the government and players in the economic sector to impose price ceilings on certain products such as rice, oil or sugar.
But this measure was accompanied by an increase in the average price of these foods, again provoking criticism of the government.
“One step away from Ramadan, the month of Lent, they are still increasing the price of foodstuffs,” lamented opponent Saidou M'Baye on Djoma TV, denouncing the “inexperience” and “failures” of the regime.
Censored media and social networks
In addition to criticism of the country's economic management, voices are being raised to denounce an authoritarian drift in power.
In recent months, internet access has been restricted in the country.
Several social networks were blocked and radio stations had their airwaves jammed.
Interviewed by RFI, Lamine Guirassy, journalist, founder and CEO of the Guinean group Hadafo Médias, explained that he discovered with amazement that songs paying tribute to the Guinean army had been broadcast instead of his broadcasts on his own frequency.
Several television channels have also been suspended by the media regulatory authority for reasons of “national security”.
On January 18, when a demonstration was to take place to protest against these restrictions, the Press House was blocked by the gendarmes and nine journalists were arrested.
Reporters Without Borders denounced "an unprecedented wave of censorship" and a "climate of terror" aimed at silencing information professionals.
🇬🇳While #Guinea has been experiencing an unprecedented wave of censorship for two months, the toll has worsened further in 48 hours.
RSF condemns a climate of terror aimed at silencing journalists and calls on the authorities to put an end to it immediately.👇https://t.co/itp9Wb4oB0 pic.twitter.com/n1hmha8D83
— RSF (@RSF_inter) January 19, 2024
The next day, Sekou Jamal Pendessa was in turn arrested, then charged with "participation in an unauthorized demonstration on the public highway and publication of data likely to disturb security and public order".
The secretary general of the Union of Press Professionals of Guinea was sentenced on February 23 to six months' imprisonment, including three months' imprisonment.
A case too many for the Guinean unions who then announced the filing of a general strike notice.
Sekou Jamal Pendessa finally walked free, Wednesday February 28, from a court in Conakry after being sentenced on appeal to one month in prison.
Dissolution of government
Criticized from all sides, the government was abruptly dissolved on February 19 by decree.
The Chief of Staff of the Guinean army then announced on television the freezing of its members' bank accounts, the confiscation of passports and the withdrawal of service vehicles.
Although no reason is given to explain these radical measures, a political crisis was brewing within the office of Prime Minister Bernard Gomou, whose authority was openly questioned.
A conflict with his Minister of Justice, who had opened investigations targeting senior officials without his approval, was widely commented on by the press.
"The government was clearly not up to the challenge. It did not know how to explain its decisions, there was no cohesion and it had become obvious that many ministers were putting their personal interests ahead of those of the country. For me, the outgoing government is the main responsible for this crisis", criticizes economist Mamadi Kaba, also technical advisor to the CNT (National Transitional Council), which has served as Parliament since the 2021 coup d'état. .
01:48
On the responsibility of the transitional president, General Mamadi Doumbouya, Mamadi Kaba is much less severe.
“Decisions were made between the CNT and members of the government without the involvement of the military. This is also the reason for the problems we experienced: without this influence, the ministers felt so strong that they no longer obeyed to the Prime Minister. The advent of a new government offers the opportunity for a fresh start."
A new Prime Minister, support of the junta
Other actors, conversely, blame the military.
“It is the body led by the junta, the CNRD (National Committee of the Rally for Development) which defines the direction of the transition. This principle is enshrined in its own charter. The government is only a fuse " denounces Abdoulaye Oumon Sow, head of communications within the National Front for the Defense of the Constitution (FNDC).
This collective, which vigorously opposed the third term of former president Alpha Condé, was dissolved in August 2022 by the junta.
Persecuted for having criticized the management of the transition, most of its members have since taken the path of exile, like Abdoulaye Oumon Sow, now based in France.
For the activist, the crisis his country is experiencing is above all due to the "refusal" by the military to organize elections.
“Technically the junta is not capable of managing the country but it does not want to leave, so the crisis will continue,” he asserts.
Transitional President Mamadi Doumbouya has pledged to return power to civilians at the start of 2025. But dialogue remains stalled with the main political parties and civil society organizations, who suspect the junta of wanting cling to power.
Because the dissolution of the government, ten months before the electoral deadline, risks further slowing down discussions.
On February 27, Mamadi Doumbouya appointed Amadou Oury Bah, president of the UDRG (Union of Democrats for the Renaissance of Guinea) party, as prime minister, tasking him with forming a new government.
Loyal support of the junta since coming to power, Amadou Oury Bah took a position against the general strike, considering it "inopportune", after the dissolution of the government leaving the unions without "responsible interlocutors to address the substance of the issues in dispute" .
It now falls to him the task, oh so delicate, of defusing this multidimensional crisis with the unions, political parties and organizations from civil society.
The France 24 summary of the week
invites you to look back at the news that marked the week
I subscribe
Take international news everywhere with you!
Download the France 24 application