An order by the ruling military junta in Guinea has suspended a major collective, National Front for the Defence of the Constitution (NFDC) that has been protesting against it.
According to document signed by Mory Condé, Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, “the de facto grouping known as the National Front for the Defence of the Constitution is dissolved” and “this order (…) takes effect from the date of its signature.”
“Their modus operandi is structured by violent actions during banned demonstrations, attacks against individuals who do not share their ideology, and targeted actions against the forces of order.
“This de facto grouping (…) provokes armed demonstrations on public roads and places, having the actions of a fighting group and private militias,” it continued.
This collective “endangering national unity, public peace and living together, is not on the list of NGOs in Guinea, nor on the list of association collectives (…) and even less in the directory of NGOs approved in the Republic of Guinea”, adds Mr. Condé.
Meanwhile communications officer of the group, Abdoulaye Oumou Sow said the group is not bothered by the suspension.
“We do not comment on this order of the minister, we do not feel concerned,”
A fresh call for protest by the coalition against the ruling junta was reported on Tuesday, after government’s delay to demands for “credible dialogue” on the transition to civilian rule.
The decision to suspend the pressure group has been criticized by the opposition. Cellou Dalein Diallo, who is the main Guinean opponent under former president Alpha Conde, condemned the decision, and rated it “a blow to freedom, justice, democracy and peace” on social networks.
The proposed three years transition period announced by the Colonel Mamady Doumbouya led junta has been widely criticized.