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Is there still a functioning opposition in Guinea?

One year after Alpha Conde was toppled in a coup, the main opposition grouping is banned and leaders imprisoned.

One year ago Guineans poured into the street to celebrate the ousting of Alpha Conde in a military coup. The increasingly unpopular president had changed the constitution to allow himself a third term – and had put down protests against him with a heavy hand.

So many members of the main opposition grouping which had organised the protests – the National Front for the Defense of the Constitution, or FNDC – joined the celebrations.

But fast-forward a year and the FNDC has been banned by the military junta – and many of its leaders arrested.

It’s called on people to come out today – Monday 5th September – to mark the one year anniversary of the coup – and urge a faster handover to civilian rule.

Meanwhile the leader of the coup – and the current military government – Colonel Mamady Doumbouya failed to give an expected address to the nation on Sunday night.

Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) discusses Guinea’s turbulent year with the Â鶹Éç’s Alhassan Silla, who’s been reading the mood on the street in Conakry.

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12 minutes

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