Guinea: Nationwide protests against changes in Constitutional Court Sep. 26-27

Event

Political opposition and civil society groups are planning a nationwide "dead city" (ville morte; total strike) protest on Wednesday, September 26, from 06:00 to 18:00 (local time) and several marches throughout the capital Conakry on September 27 in protest against the dismissal of the president of the Constitutional Court, Kéléfa Sall. Given that protests are usually banned by Conakry authorities, clashes between protesters and police cannot be ruled out. Localized traffic disruptions are also anticipated along the protest routes. The marches will depart from five different districts from 08:00  and converge at the Constitutional Court. Protesters will likely not be allowed to actually reach the court, located in the downtown area. Starting points are:

• Dixinn: 28 Septembre Stadium
• Kaloum: Boulbinet
• Matoto: Gbessia roundabout
• Matam: Constantin roundabout 
• Ratoma: Hamdallaye roundabout

Context

On September 9, the eight advisors to the Constitutional Court adopted a motion of no-confidence to dismiss Sall, which is allegedly unlawful. A new president is meant to be elected on September 27, which will coincide with the date of the protests. The dismissal is seen by opposition and civil society groups as an attempt by the government to destabilize the country's institutions - which are already quite fragile - and give increased powers to President Alpha Condé. The "Balai Citoyen" civil society group staged a sit-in outside the Constitutional Court on September 19 to protest the dismissal; the gathering passed off relatively peacefully but was heavily policed.

Advice

Individuals in Conakry are advised to closely monitor the situation and avoid all protests due to the potential for violence.