Conakry – The ruling junta in Guinea has announced national conferences across the nation starting March 22, six months after overthrowing the elected president.
Coup leader Colonel Mamady Doumbouya – who was sworn in as president last October – has promised to restore civilian rule after a transitional period.
But he has so far resisted international pressure to commit to a date.
“The transition president informed the cabinet the national conferences will be organised from March 22, 2022, over the whole national territory and abroad,” said a statement issued by the cabinet late Thursday night.
All government departments would be involved “for the success of these conferences”, it said.
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It provided no further details about the conferences. The junta did not respond to AFP’s request for more information.
Dozens of political parties threatened Wednesday to stage protests if the junta continued to ignore them and delay a return to civilian rule.
The parties called in a statement for “a permanent framework for dialogue”.
West Africa’s regional bloc ECOWAS and the United Nations voiced deepening concern last week about a stalling democratic transition in Guinea.
The bloc and the UN said they were “especially concerned” about the lack of a timetable for returning to democratic rule and urged the junta to draw up an “acceptable timetable” as soon as possible.
President Alpha Conde, 84, was ousted in a military coup last September following a wave of anger over his plans to secure a third presidential term.
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Source: AFP
Picture: Getty Images
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