Military junta dissolves FNDC coalition following protests

Association

Military authorities dissolve FNDC following protests

On 8th August 2022, Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation in the military transitional government, Mory Condé, issued an order dissolving Front National pour la Défense de la Constitution (FNDC), a coalition of political parties, trade unions and civil society groups formed in April 2019 against any changes in the Constitution so as to allow former President Alpha Condé to run for an unconstitutional third term. In the order, the military transitional government accuses FNDC of perpetrating violence and targeting security forces during protests. The order further motivates the group's dissolution as FNDC "jeopardises national unity, public peace and peaceful living together, does not appear on the list of NGOs in Guinea, nor on the list of association collectives […] and even less in the directory of NGOs approved in Republic of Guinea". 

In a letter sent to the military transitional authorities on 15th August 2022, the then UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, expressed her concerns on the dissolution of FNDC; the use of excessive force by security forces and arrest of protesters during FNDC's protests on 28th and 29th July 2022. 

Peaceful Assembly

Protests against military junta: at least two killed, clashes

At least two people were killed by live ammunition during protests on 17th August 2022, organised by FNDC against how the transition is being managed by the military junta. According to media reports, a heavy contingent of military officers, gendarmes and police was deployed on routes and places frequently used by protesters in Conakry. Protesters and security forces clashed sporadically during protests on 5th September 2022 in Conakry. According to the Ministry of Security, ten security officers were injured and several protesters arrested for 'public disorder'. FNDC accused authorities of having used "weapons of war" to maintain public order. 

As reported previously on the Monitor, security forces used force during protests against the "unilateral management of the transition" on 28th and 29th July 2022, and violent clashes between protesters and security forces were reported. According to Amnesty International, five people were killed and three people injured by bullets during the protests on 28th July 2022. The human rights organisations received information from witnesses that live ammunition was used during the protests. Media reports claim that about one hundred protesters, including 34 minors, were arrested. 

Expression

Journalist summoned by military

On 5th August 2022, a group of soldiers told editor of news website Mosaiqueguinee.com Mohamed Bangoura to report to the military intelligence headquarters. The journalist was summoned to reveal his sources of an article he published, claiming the involvement of the military in the theft of a truck containing medical supplies, which he refused to do. Sadibou Marong of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) commented:

“Summoning this journalist to a military camp is indefensible in a country where the media regulator and courts are functioning normally. We applaud the way media stakeholders expressed strong opposition to this violation and we call on the Guinean authorities, who had pledged to promote press freedom, to protect journalists, of whom at least seven have been aggressed by security forces or protesters in recent weeks. These acts must not go unpunished.”

Journalists attacked 

According to RSF, seven journalists were harassed or attacked during protests by military officers, police or protesters since 28th July 2022: 

• Soldiers questioned a reporter for online media outlet Guineematin.com twice while covering a peaceful protest in Conakry. on 17th August. The journalist's phone was confiscated. 
• Mamadou Hady Diallo, journalist for media outlet Djoma Kakande was attacked by police during a protest of mining employees in the northwest of the country.  
• On 4th August 2022, journalist Mamoudou Boulléré Diallo, who works for Espace TV, was harassed by soldiers in Conakry. 
• Protesters attcked Abdallah Camara and Mohamed Sangaré, both journalists for media outlet Evasion Guinée, and Djoma Médias reporter Algassimou Baldé while covering protests in Conakry on 28th July 2022. 
• On the same day, 28th July 2022, reporter for online media outlet Guineematin.com Mamadou Bhoye Laafa Sow was beaten by a group of soldiers.