Guinea opposition delays protest to spur peace talks
Political parties, trade unions and campaign groups had called for demonstrations on March 9 to demand an end to prosecutions of junta critics and the lifting of a ban on protests, imposed by the military after it came to power in 2021.
Opposition coalition FVG said in a statement on Wednesday it had decided to delay planned demonstrations in the capital of Conakry to March 15.
The postponement "aims to give every chance of success to the steps taken by the team of the Minister of Religious Affairs and the Imam of the Grand Mosque of Conakry for the satisfaction of the legitimate claims of the FVG," the statement said.
Three prominent opposition figures are in jail and a number of politicians have been detained, face investigation or have fled abroad.
Under pressure from the Economic Community of West African States, the junta has agreed to hand over to civilian rule after a two-year transitional period starting from January 2023.
The military seized power in September 2021 on the back of protests against Guinea's elected president, Alpha Conde, whose bid for a third term in office was attacked as unconstitutional.
Three people died in clashes during anti-junta protests on February 16.
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