Guinea Junta’s Ban on Opposition Congress Faces Legal Challenge

One of Guinea's principal opposition parties announced on Friday that it has appealed to the Supreme Court following the military junta’s intervention to prevent the party from holding its planned congress this weekend.

The Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG) received a directive in late June from the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation ordering the immediate suspension of its leadership gathering, scheduled for Sunday in the capital, Conakry.

Guinea’s military government is frequently criticised for suppressing freedom of expression and targeting political dissent.

In a statement, the UFDG’s national leadership condemned the ministry’s decision as a “serious violation” of the rule of law, the freedoms of association and assembly, and the autonomy of political parties. The party has temporarily halted preparations for the congress pending the Supreme Court’s ruling.

The extraordinary congress was intended to bring together key figures from the UFDG’s central committee to youth leaders.

The ministry justified its ban by accusing the party of missing deadlines to submit required documents, altering its agenda, and other procedural breaches.

The opposition has long accused junta leader General Mamady Doumbouya’s regime of intensifying repression. Several opponents have been detained or forced into exile.

Since taking power in 2021, the junta has outlawed demonstrations, dissolved civilian movements demanding a return to democracy, and revoked licences of independent media outlets.

Under international pressure, the military initially promised a constitutional referendum and a handover to civilian rule by the end of 2024 — promises yet to materialise.

Doumbouya has pledged that 2025 will be “a crucial electoral year,” with a constitutional referendum scheduled for September.

In May, prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah vowed to “do everything” to hold presidential and legislative elections in December.

After overthrowing civilian president Alpha Condé, Doumbouya assured he would not contest future elections. However, the military’s interim charter prohibits junta members from running, but a new constitution could open the door for Doumbouya’s candidacy.