Guinea: Unions call for general strike in Conakry August 20

Event

The National Confederation of Workers of Guinea (CNTG) and the United Trade Union of Guinean Workers (USTG) unions are calling for multiple demonstrations to take place in Conakry in the coming days. Both unions threatened to launch a general strike on Monday, August 20, to protest the sale of the Autonomous Port of Conakry (PAC) to a Turkish company. An unconfirmed protest march may also take place on Thursday, August 23. Additional demonstrations are possible in the coming days. Heightened security measures and traffic disruptions are expected around all protest sites. Clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out.

Context

On August 16, Guinea’s Minister of Transport, Aboubacar Sylla, confirmed that the government had agreed to allow a Turkish company to refurbish the port in exchange for allowing it to run the port for 25 years. Union leaders claim that the deal threatens jobs for their workers at the port. A march against the agreement was carried out on August 17.

Advice

All those present in Guinea, particularly in Conakry, are advised to closely monitor developments to the situation and avoid all public gatherings due to the risk of violence, which can flare up with little warning.