Mixed feelings mark one year since Guinea coup

 

There is music and dancing in the streets of Conakry to celebrate for the first year in power of Guinea's junta that overthrew the government of Alpha Condé. However, a coalition of civil society groups, the National Front for the Defence of the Constitution (FNDC) has called for demonstrators to protest against the authorities they have.

Last,year the elected president of Guinea was overthrown by the country's armed forces, after some of protests over a controversial third term.

Col Mamady Doumbouya took power and promised to return democracy, but the junta's decision to announce a three-year transition period to democracy sparked new demonstrations which were violently repressed, despite many initially welcoming the coup as a fresh start for the west African nation.

In Conakry, many Guineans have Said to Donpinlins Global Resources that the regime of Col Doumbouya has been disappointed, referencing "eight young Guineans" they say "were shot dead in the middle of the street".

The police have previously rejected violence towards protesters.

Many in the country support the FNDC, which organised protests against what they view as the lack of "credible dialogue" with the authorities. But several other groups still support the transitional government, including one man who told Donpinlins Global Resources he believes President Doumbouya will restore civilian rule.

"Col Doumbouya said and repeated that he would lead us to a better future during his time as president of the transition and I’m sure he’ll do it," he added.