17 Dec 2018 | 09:35 AM UTC
Guinea: Teacher strike continues; nationwide protests December 17 /update 2
Teacher union calls for ongoing strike to continue and for protests to take place nationwide on December 17
Event
The national teachers' union, SLECG (Syndicat Libre des Enseignants et Chercheurs de Guinée) has called for teachers to continue their nationwide strike, ongoing since October 3, until further notice. Furthermore, the union has called for protests to take place nationwide on Monday, December 17. A heightened security presence is likely in urban centers, notably in the capital Conakry. Clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out.
Context
Numerous similar teacher strikes and related violent student protests have been held in Guinea in 2017-2018. Teachers are demanding higher salaries (GNF 8 million; USD 876,300), which the government has refused to deliver; the government has furthermore frozen salary payments to teachers for the months of October and November.
Advice
Individuals in Guinea, particularly Conakry, are advised to remain vigilant and avoid all protests.
