"Anti-Government Movement Plans New Protests in Guinea Amidst Reports of Fatalities"

Following demonstrations in the capital, Conakry, and other cities in Guinea, an anti-government movement is preparing for further protests. The movement's leaders have reported that at least seven individuals were killed and 32 others were injured during the recent protests. The demonstrators, who have been protesting against the military government that seized power in 2021, clashed with riot police wearing protective gear while engaging in activities such as throwing rocks and setting tires on fire. Additionally, smaller-scale protests occurred in Nzerekore, a southeastern city, and in the central town of Dabola.

A joint statement from opposition parties and civil society groups confirmed the deaths of seven people due to gunshot wounds and the injury of 32 others. They also mentioned that 56 individuals were arrested. Despite these events, the opposition has announced plans for a second day of peaceful demonstrations on Thursday.

The military rulers have yet to respond to the allegations made by the opposition and civil society groups. Guinea has witnessed multiple protests since the military assumed power, with some of them turning violent due to clashes with heavy-handed security forces.

Guinea is among several West African countries where military coups have occurred since 2020, and these governments have been slow to fulfill their promises of holding elections. In October, the authorities in Guinea proposed a two-year transition period towards democracy, which was a reduction from the initial three-year timeline rejected by the Economic Community of West African States, a regional political and economic bloc.