Guinean President's visit to the United States comes at a critical juncture

Guinean President Alpha Condé is traveling this month to the United States to attend the United Nations General Assembly and seek to encourage US investment in his country.

Mr. Condé will be keen to highlight the improvement in Guinea's economic prospects attributable to the development of the mining sector, which should soon be followed by growth in the electricity sector due to the introduction of a series of hydroelectric projects.

It remains to be seen, however, whether the current political uncertainty about Conde's future will lead to further infringements of rights. The Guinean constitution of 2010 prohibiting the president to seek a third term, Conde supporters – including the ruling party – asked him to change the constitution and to represent. On September 5, he ordered his ministers to "consult" on a new constitution.

If the government is actually seeking a new constitution, it is likely that Guinea will be the scene of a new round of opposition demonstrations that in the past have often led to violent clashes between security forces and the government. demonstrators. For example, during protests in 2018, security forces shot dead at least 12 people, with demonstrators killing two law enforcement officers.

As political tensions intensify, there are indications that the government is willing to undermine human rights in order to suppress dissent. The government has virtually banned all street protests. Security forces fired tear gas against those who defied the ban and arrested dozens of protesters opposed to adopting a new constitution.

The government has done little to ensure that security forces who have committed attacks against protesters are held to account. He failed to bring to justice soldiers involved in the 2009 Stadium Massacre, in which more than 150 peaceful protesters were killed. If the government wants to show real commitment to the fight against impunity, it should set the date of the massacre trial and set up a special panel of judges to investigate more recent attacks. committed during events.

At their meeting this month with President Condé, world leaders and policymakers should argue that respect for the freedom of opponents of the government is paramount. They should urge the president to lift any general prohibition of protest and to ban demonstrations only if the maintenance of public order so requires.

Only President Condé knows what he is considering for his political future. But Guineans on all sides have the right to express their opinion at such a critical moment for democracy in Guinea. They are also entitled to justice when the security forces are responsible for unlawful deaths.