In Guinea, the resumption of dialogue threatened by the arrest of two civil society activists

The Guinean Ministry of Justice demanded an explanation on Sunday, March 12, on the arrest of two civil society activists likely to call into question an attempt to resume dialogue between the opposition and the ruling junta. The ministry suggests in a press release that the gendarmes arrested the two men outside the procedures. He asked the prosecution for a “detailed report” and assures that he “will not tolerate any action violating the rights of all citizens in conflict with the law”.

Abdoul Sacko and Ismaël Diallo were arrested on Saturday for undisclosed reasons, then released. Both are part of organizations calling for a rapid return of civilians to the helm of this military-ruled country since September 2021. The military consented, under pressure from the Economic Community of West African States ( Cédéao), to give way to elected civilians by the end of 2024, the time to carry out deep reforms, they say.

Abdoul Sacko, in particular, is a well-known figure, a member of the Forces Vives, a coalition of the main parties, unions and organizations opposed to the junta. The Forces vives denounced Saturday’s arrests as a “liberticidal act […] which compromises the steps taken by the religious authorities to calm socio-political tensions”.

Abdoul Sacko and Ismaël Diallo were indeed arrested when the junta and the opposition seem to be initiating an attempt to resume contact. The Forces vives have thus just postponed a demonstration against the junta to, they say, give a chance to mediation by the religious authorities. A meeting between the Forces Vives, the government and religious is expected for Monday, but to be confirmed.

The opposition accuses the junta of confiscating power and silencing any dissenting voices through arrests of personalities and judicial investigations. It calls for real dialogue. In a country accustomed to political violence, a previous day of mobilization in mid-February led to clashes that left three people dead. The junta has threatened to ban the main parties, which are already virtually inactive.