The situation in Guinea’s capital, Conakry, turned violent as a general strike paralyzed the city, with two youths shot dead amid clashes with security forces. The strike, called by a confederation of main unions, aims to protest against the military government’s stifling of dissent, demand the release of a prominent media activist, lower food prices, and an end to media censorship.
The streets of Conakry were deserted as schools, shops, markets, and roads remained empty, while youths erected barricades on major roads. Despite sporadic clashes and the tragic deaths of two young men, the strike continued as a sign of resistance against the military government.
The strike follows the unexpected dissolution of the transitional government by the military, which also ordered the seizure of government members’ passports and froze their bank accounts. Under General Mamady Doumbouya’s leadership, protests have been rare, with the military imposing restrictions on demonstrations and cracking down on opposition leaders, civil society members, and journalists.
The unions have demanded the immediate release of Sekou Jamal Pendessa, a prominent media activist who was sentenced to six months in prison for participating in an unauthorized protest. The strike represents a unified response against the government’s authoritarian measures and the artificial suffering endured by the people of Guinea.
