Guinea To Hold Referendum Despite COVID-19 Concerns

Despite concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic that has been spreading around the world, the government of Guinea has decided to go ahead with its planned referendum, which could potentially give Alpha Condé a third term. Aside from the concerns over the spread of the virus (cases have already been reported in Guinea), Guinea’s internet and phone services are also expected to disrupted during the referendum as well.

In recent months, Guinea has been thrown into unrest due to Condé’s proposed constitutional reforms which would extend his presidency for another term. Several people in Guinea have been killed and injured due to the government crackdown. Others have been abducted and arrested for openly opposing the Condé’s plans to extend his presidency. Condé previously postponed the referendum, but the government apparently has no intentions of postponing the referendum again. Not only is the government of Guinea willing to violently suppress its own citizens for the sake of extending Condé’s presidency, but Condé is even willing to risk the health and well-being of his citizens just to extend his presidency beyond the currently mandated two-term limits.

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Dwayne is the author of several books on the history and experiences of African people, both on the continent and in the diaspora. His books are available through Amazon. You can also follow Dwayne on Facebook and Twitter.