DAKAR, Senegal — Guinean authorities dissolved dozens of political parties and placed the two main opposition parties under surveillance late Monday, but the interim government has yet to announce a date for elections.
The West African country has been led by a military junta since soldiers ousted President Alpha Conde in 2021. The West African regional bloc, known as ECOWAS, is pushing for a return to civilian rule, with elections scheduled for 2025.
The simultaneous dissolution of 53 political parties and the requirement for 54 others to be monitored for three months is unprecedented in Guinea, which held its first democratic elections in 2010 after decades of authoritarian rule. There is no such thing. The Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization announced the move following an evaluation of all political parties that began in June. The ministry said the assessment was aimed at “clearing the political chessboard.”
The 67 officials who will be under surveillance for three months will be able to function as usual, but will have to address the misconduct described in the report. These parties include former president Alpha Condé’s party, the Guinea People’s Assembly, and the other main opposition party, the Guinea Democratic Forces Coalition.
Authorities said the problems included that the political parties under surveillance did not hold party conventions on time or submit bank statements.
Guinea is one of the countries in West Africa, including Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, where the military has taken control and the return to civilian rule has been slow. Earlier this year, Burkina Faso’s military government extended the transition period for five years.
Guinea’s leader, Col. Mamadi Doumbouya, accused the previous government of breaking its promises three years ago, claiming it was overthrowing the president and preventing the country from descending into chaos.
However, since taking office, he has been criticized by some who say he is no better than his predecessor.
In February military leaders dissolved the government without explanation and said a new government would be appointed.
Doumbouya rejected attempts by the West and other developed countries to intervene in Africa’s political affairs, saying Africans were “tired of the categories that everyone wants to box us in.” Ta.
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