by Nurat Uthman
Guinea’s capital came to a standstill Monday on the first day of an open-ended general strike amid growing social tensions and the absence of a transitional government.
A confederation of the main unions has urged public and private sectors to strike for the release of a prominent media activist, to cut food prices and end media censorship.
“This strike is welcome, it will force the authorities to understand that they are not gods on earth,” a ministry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
“I’m on strike because Guineans are sick of the artificially created suffering, maintained by our leaders.”
It comes a week after the military junta unexpectedly dissolved the transitional government —which had been in office since July 2022 — without providing a reason.
Internet restrictions imposed three months ago were lifted last week, a day after the unions announced plans for the strike.
Schools, shops and roads were empty early Monday in Conakry, an AFP correspondent saw.
Young people set up barricades on some of the main roads late Sunday.
Police were keeping a low-profile presence around midday Monday.
The unions have called for the immediate and unconditional release of Sekou Jamal Pendessa, secretary general of the Union of Press Professionals of Guinea (SPPG), who was arrested at the end of January for “participating in an unauthorised protest.”
Television channels have also been removed and radio frequencies disrupted in a crackdown on media outlets.
Protests have become rare under junta leader General Mamady Doumbouya, who took power in a September 2021 coup. He has not spoken publicly since the start of the year.
The military leaders banned all demonstrations in 2022 and have arrested a number of opposition leaders, civil society members and the press.
Under international pressure, the junta has promised to hand the reins of government back to elected civilians by the end of 2024, but the opposition has accused it of authoritarian drift.
