Guinea: Doumbouya celebrate two years in office

Tuesday, 5th September, 2023, marks two years since Guinea's former president, Alpha Conde, was ousted in a military coup led by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya.

By Baillor Jalloh

Three people have been killed by security forces in Guinea’s capital Conakry, during a protest organised by political parties and the civil service, urging the junta to run a smooth and transparent transition. The killings came as Mamady Doumbouya celebrate two years in office, following the ousting of Alpha Conde in September 2021, who had changed the constitution in 2020 which paved the way for him to be re-elected for a third term in office.

After the coup, thousands of Guineans took to the streets of Conakry to welcome Doumbouya and his special forces. In his first address to the nation, Guinea’s new strong man promised the “mistakes of the past will not be repeated again” and all Guineans will be treated equally in the eyes of the law.

However, two years down the line, Guineans have returned to the street again but this time to protest against the Junta for their unfulfilled promises. Since the military took over, more than a dozen unarmed teenagers have been killed by security forces during protests in the capital Conakry. Meanwhile, critics and human rights groups have accused the junta of wanting to cling on to power.

A video of Alpha Conde was circulated on social media after being arrested on September, 5th, 2021.

Sheriff Bah, Communication Secretary for the National Front for the Defence of the Constitution in Guinea (UK branch) spoke to African Voices Platform on the two year anniversary since the military took office.