(2 minutes read)
· Protests have erupted in Guinea ahead of the constitutional
referendum on Sunday. Police have fired to disburse the angry crowd
protesting against the referendum as they feared that it would prolong
President Alpha Conde’s rule.
· The president says that the proposed constitution amendment
will, among others, codify gender equality and that holding a
referendum is democratic
· But opposition feels that the real motive is to reset
presidential term limits allowing Condé, 82, to run for a third term
in office later this year.
Protests have erupted in Guinea ahead of the constitutional referendum
on Sunday. Police have fired to disburse the angry crowd protesting
against the referendum as they feared that it would prolong President
Alpha Conde’s rule. Despite the protests and widespread anger among
international community, Conde vowed to go ahead while the scare of
COVID-19 pandemic is at a heightened pace.
The referendum was put off last month following months of tension,
occasional violence and arrests. The president says that the proposed
constitution amendment will, among others, codify gender equality and
that holding a referendum is democratic. But opposition feels that the
real motive is to reset presidential term limits allowing Condé, 82,
to run for a third term in office later this year. Importantly, the
president has not denied that possibility. For some time, Guineans
have taken part in sporadic violent mass protests, which had resulted
in the killing of at least 31 protesters and a police officer. There
are allegations of police brutality. The constitutional referendum
will be held concurrently with parliamentary election.
