In Guinea, the Army Requisitioned in the Face of Demonstrations

While the opposition had called for two days of demonstrations on May 17 and 18, Red Berets and army tanks were present in the suburbs of Conakry. The Guinean authorities requisitioned the army in response to these demonstrations and threatened to apply anti-terrorism laws, which provide for up to life imprisonment for those responsible for a "crisis situation."

The call for protests appeared to have little response on the streets. Internet monitoring service NetBlocks reported on social media that access to various platforms had been restricted. Real-time network data by NetBlocks and tests conducted by the Guinean Association of Bloggers (ABLOGUI) have shown that mainly Facebook, Messenger, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram and TikTok were affected via the two leading providers in Guinea, MTN and Orange. The signals of radio stations such as privately-owned Fim FM and Djoma FM have been jammed, and news sites such as Africa Guinée and Guinée Matin have been inaccessible.

The Minister of Territorial Administration , Mory Condé, stated Tuesday evening in a statement read on national television that the opposition demonstrations are the occasion for a "real urban guerrilla war" where the demonstrators, "with unprecedented violence , are spreading terror" and attacking the security forces with "lethal means".

"We took legal responsibility by requisition (...) dated May 15 , 2023 to request the assistance of the armed forces to support the police and gendarmerie forces who were in difficulty (to) maintain and restore public order," the statement said.

The minister brandished the threat of applying anti-terrorism laws that provide for life imprisonment against anyone who commits an act that endangers the life or freedoms of others with the intention of "intimidating, provoking a situation of terror, creating a feeling of insecurity among the population" , exerting pressure on the State or creating "a crisis situation among the population" , according to the articles of the penal code read on television.

The law applies to anyone who sponsors, finances or encourages such acts, the texts say.