Guinea junta dissolves opposition coalition

The military-led government in Guinea has issued a decree dissolving the country’s leading opposition movement which it accuses of using violence during what it calls banned demonstrations.

The National Front for the Defence of the Constitution or FNDC is an alliance of political parties, trade unions and civil society groups.

It led protests which prompted the overthrow of the former president Alpha Condé in a coup last year.

It seems the authorities in Guinea are worried about the possibility of protests gaining momentum.

Friction has been growing for months between the FNDC opposition movement and the military-led government.

The FNDC has called for countrywide demonstrations next week at a time when some Guineans want the military to speed up the return to civilian rule.

The men who seized power last year want a three-year transition.

The decree dissolving the opposition movement says its behaviour threatens national unity and peace.

If people do take to the streets it will be no surprise if there is a violent response from the military.