The heart of Guinea’s capital, Conakry, witnessed a complete shutdown on Monday as the nation commenced an indefinite general strike amidst escalating social unrest and the absence of a transitional government.
Leading union federations have rallied both public and private sectors to join the strike, demanding the release of a prominent media activist, reduction in food prices, and an end to media censorship.
“This strike is a necessary stance to remind the authorities that they are accountable to the people,” expressed a ministry official, requesting anonymity.
“I am participating in the strike because Guineans are weary of enduring unnecessary hardships orchestrated by our leaders.”
The strike unfolds following the unexpected dissolution of the transitional government by the military junta last week, leaving citizens perplexed without a clear explanation.
Internet restrictions, in place for three months, were lifted recently, coinciding with the unions’ call for strike action.
Early Monday, Conakry’s streets remained deserted, with schools, shops, and roads deserted, signaling widespread participation. Young demonstrators erected roadblocks on key routes on Sunday night.
While police presence remained subdued, tension lingered as the unions demanded the immediate release of Sekou Jamal Pendessa, the secretary-general of the Union of Press Professionals of Guinea, detained since January for involvement in an unauthorized protest.
Furthermore, media outlets face suppression, with television channels removed and radio frequencies disrupted, intensifying the crackdown on freedom of expression.
Protests, once commonplace, have dwindled under the leadership of General Mamady Doumbouya, who assumed power in a September 2021 coup. General Doumbouya, silent since the beginning of the year, faces mounting international scrutiny over his regime’s repressive measures.
Despite promises to restore civilian governance by the end of 2024, under global pressure, the junta’s authoritarian trajectory has drawn criticism from the opposition, citing an erosion of democratic principles.
