2019–2020 Guinean protests

In Guinea, political dissent has been silenced since the 2007 Guinean general strike, when 100 were killed. Hundreds of people have been arrested in separate cases of violence, such as the 2009 Guinea protests, 2013 Guinea clashes and many more. After a wave of unprecedented demonstrations against the results of the 2015 Guinean presidential election, 70 protesters were killed and more than 400 were arrested in six months of protests. In 2019, protesters had had enough with the government and a new bill allowing constitutional referendums and changes, so protesters started to rally.[2]

Between 14 and 15 October, a wave of protests struck Conakry after president Alpha Conde changed the constitution. Five were killed in various protests. The protests spread like wildfire to nearly a dozen cities by 16 October. Mass political unrest spiralled out of control when abuses against the Folani tribe took place. Thousands of protesters threw stones at police and three were killed between 18 and 19 October. The unrest spread to Nzerekore, the country's third city. Police fired live ammunition to disperse protesters. Anti government chants were voiced demanding an end to the government.[3]

Tanks and military troops and soldiers stormed cities as nationwide strikes erupted. Between 20 and 28 October, various acts of Civil disobedience took place and hundreds were singing and chanting slogans against president Alpha Conde. Violence went on for four days against tribes by police. Anti-military protests and pro-democracy protests rose after the street protests erupted. Between 14 and 17 November, a wave of protests struck major cities nationwide. At least 100 were killed in the unrest after mid-October. Thousands rallied on 19–24 November, demanding an end to corruption, shortages and poverty. Riots intimidated international donors and media drew attention to the protests. Acts of violence rampaged through cities and poor suburbs in towns across Guinea as anti-government rallies spiraled out of control. Tens of thousands of opposition supporters and workers took to the streets, demanding better wages and pay-checks to resume. Economic turmoil and political crisis were among of the causes of the civil unrest. A conflict between protesters and the police occurred when blockades were broken down by the army, and security forces opened fire on protesters, killing at least seven in December alone.

Mass rallies occurred in Guinea on 16–17 January. Two were killed in the ensuing crackdown. On January 30–31, mass protests killed four when thousands threw stones and chanted anti-government slogans depicting the prime minister. Police brutality was filed in court. The 2020 Guinean constitutional referendum was met with five days of unprecedented demonstrations and intense clashes with the military, who fired live shots and killed at least thirteen. After the results was pulled out, opposition protesters took to the streets to demand an end to corruption scandals and the government and the resignation of president Alpha Conde. Between April–July 2020, better electricity strikes gripped areas across the country, killing seven as electric supplies were cut off.[4]

After a nationwide lockdown banned protest actions and gatherings, hundreds defied the ban and took to the streets as a continuation of the protest movement. One person was injured as teargas was used to disperse protesters. Riot police stormed compounds and neighbourhoods on 20–31 July.[5]

After a break, nationwide rallies led by the opposition took place. Ten were killed in the pre-election protests demanding that president Alpha Conde should resign and not run for a third term in office in the 2020 Guinean presidential election.[6]

A series of nationwide anti-government strikes intensified after the announcement of the results of the 2020 Guinean presidential election. Protesters threw stones and pelted eggs, demanding democratic reforms and justice for those who had died due to political unrest, free elections and a new government led by the opposition. Four were killed by violence from military forces against strikers and protesters. After a week-long series of protests, protesters were calm after 23 were killed by police forces who attacked protesters and journalists calling on freedom and fair elections.[7]

• 2007 Guinean general strike
• 2009 Guinea protests
• 2013 Guinea clashes