The future looks even bleaker for candidates opposing President Alpha Conde’s regime. The 82-year-old whose re-election sparked mixed reactions among Guineans appears to be stepping on his subjects. Oppositions have alleged Mr. Conde using his power to intimidate his rivals. Since his re-election, officers have been arresting those condemning his ability and administration.
How Did President Conde Get to Power?
According to reports, Alpha Conde, the former and current head of Guinea, came to power after winning a violently disputed election. Reports alleged that Conde had rigged the votes and thus defeated his main rival Cellou Diallo. Controversies also arose after President Conde changed the constitution to work in his favor. Courtesy of the new body, which he passed in March, allowed him to contest for a third term.
Without a doubt, Mr. Diallo, who was ready to take Mr. Conde head-on. However, he lost the Presidential seat after Guinea’s Electoral Commission announced the results. Mr. Diallo, who was reluctant to concede defeat, claimed that Conde had engaged in voter malpractice. He appealed the results at the country’s high court. However, he was not lucky as the court ruled in Conde’s favor and made it clear that he had won most votes.
Guineans, more so Diallo’s supporters, were raged by the verdict. On that day, Diallo enthusiasts and government forces staged a coup, which left scores injured and some dead. Therefore, the beef with Conde is not old news, for it’s something that has degenerated into a monster. Not many Guineans love him as their ruler.
President Conde’s Critic Imprisoned
Hundreds of Conde opponents have suffered at the hands of police officers. Either they have been detained after uttering hate speech, started protests, or even disrespected President Conde’s administration. Recently, opposition politician Oumar Sylla, popularly known as Fonike Mangue, was detained by officers after a court sentenced him to 11 months in prison on charges of disrupting public peace.
Mr. Sylla was a brave politician who voiced out his opinions without fear of contradiction. When Alpha Conde changed the constitution, he was among the opposition leaders to condemn this move. He was one of the front-liners who endorsed protests during those times. Sylla also opposed last year’s election results, which declared Conde the winner. He was part of the demonstrations, which caused tensions in the country.
On the day of his arrest, Sylla claimed nothing would stop him as he would continue to condemn President Conde’s government. In September, he also stated that anonymous men, dressed in civilian clothes, knocked him off a motorcycle, then abducted him. They took him to an enclosure and detained him for some time before releasing him.
Prominent Opposition Leaders
Earlier this month, state officers arrested two prominent opposition leaders, Souleymane Conde and Youssouf Dioubate, for inciting an insurrection. The court had sentenced both of them to a year in prison. The pair, who are both members of the FNDC opposition coalition, had led protests against Conde’s third term. As such, the authorities fined them 2000 dollars each. The public prosecutor had initially pushed for a five-year jail term and heavier charges. Hence the verdict might have been fair.
Moreover, four detainees, including Rodger Bamba, have succumbed in prison while under police custody. Officers, however, reported that Mr. Rodger died from an illness. Though his family alleged someone must have poisoned him. Meanwhile, political oppositions are worried about a democratic backslide in Guinea.
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