Protester killed in Guinea anti-junta demonstration

Guinea map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Atlantic Ocean.

CIA World Factbook

Guinea map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Atlantic Ocean.

Associated Press

CONAKRY, Guinea — One person was killed in Guinea’s capital during protests against fuel price hikes, said opposition leaders and witnesses. It was the first demonstration since a junta seized control in September during a coup d’etat in the West African nation. The young man was shot dead Wednesday at nightfall in Hamdallaye, a suburb of the capital that is considered to be a stronghold of opposition parties and junta critics.

“During the day, the riot police used tear gas to disperse us. There was calm. Then at night, the demonstrations resumed. The police came to fire warning shots,” protester Amadou Diouma Diallo told The Associated Press.

The National Front for the Defense of the Constitution, a coalition of civil society groups that oppose the junta, accused the defense and security forces of using live ammunition.

“The bloody repression of the demonstrations by the defense and security forces contrasts with Col. Doumbouya’s takeover speech, in which he castigated the (previous government’s) killings of demonstrators and who had pledged not to commit the same,” the groups said.

The Ministry of Security and Civilian Protection, retired Gen. Bachir Diallo, said the government offers its condolences to the victims and relatives of those who died.

(Visited 22 times, 1 visits today)