Guinea Military Rulers Suspend Three Opposition Parties Before Referendum

Guinea’s military rulers have suspended the country’s three main opposition parties, including that of former President Alpha Conde, in the run-up to a constitutional referendum next month. 
  
The order on Saturday prevents Conde’s Rally of the Guinean People, the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea, led by former Prime Minister Cellou Dalein Diallo, and the Party of Renewal and Progress from engaging in any political activities for 90 days with immediate effect. 
 
The suspension comes as the West African nation’s main parties and civil society groups prepared to hold demonstrations from September 5 to condemn what they see as a power grab by military leader General Mamady Doumbouya, who took power in September 2021 when a coup toppled Conde. 
 
A draft constitution presented to Doumbouya in June opens the way to a return to civilian rule, though it does not make clear whether he could stand as a candidate in the next presidential election. 
 
Doumbouya’s military-run government has banned all demonstrations since 2022, and it has arrested, prosecuted, or pushed into exile several opposition leaders. 
 
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