Guinea: Opposition calls for protests in Conakry November 7-8 /update 8

Event

The Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UDFG) opposition party is calling for protests to be held in the capital Conakry on Wednesday, November 7, and Thursday, November 8. UDFG leaders are calling for supports to hold a ville morte (dead city) general strike on Wednesday. On the following day, the party is planning to march down the Fidel Castro Highway. A heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions are to be expected near protest sites; clashes between security forces and demonstrators cannot be ruled out.

Context

Several opposition protests have been held since mid-October to denounce the government of President Alpha Condé and the fact that officials elected in controversial local elections held February 4 have not yet been sworn in.

Condé's Rally of the Guinean People (RPG) won the majority of the votes in the February local elections, followed by former Prime Minister Cellou Dalein Diallo's Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG) and a second opposition party, the Union of Republican Forces (UFR). Although the RPG dominated nationwide, the party lost control of the municipal government of Conakry, a major blow given that the city is home to almost a quarter of the country's population. 

Advice

Individuals in Conakry are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all demonstrations and protests due to the risk of violence, and adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.