Guinea Dissolves Civil Society, Opposition Coalition

Guinea's government has dissolved the National Front for the Defense of the Constitution (Front national pour la défense de la Constitution, FNDC), a prominent coalition of Guinean civil society groups and opposition parties.

The government has accused the coalition of organising public armed demonstrations, using violence, inciting hate, and acting like private militias. The coalition was given no opportunity to effectively challenge the decision, which was based on vague and sweeping allegations, before an independent judicial body with the authority to quash the order.

This decision came hours after the coalition announced new demonstrations across Guinea and abroad, calling for a credible dialogue between transitional military authorities and opposition parties and civil society.

"This attack on anyone who opposes military rule does not bode well for the transition and upcoming elections," Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch said. "The Guinean government should undo the dissolution of the FNDC and end the interference with opposition parties and civil society."