Guinea's trade unions are calling for a
two day nationwide strike beginning Monday to mourn the killing of unarmed
opposition protesters.
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Some concerned Guineans say the strike could anger the
military junta, which is blamed for the killings.
More than 150 protesters were
killed on September 28 when soldiers shot dead opponents protesting the
possible candidacy of junta leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara in next year's
general election.
Monday's
strike coincides with ongoing discussions between the junta and the opposition
in Nigeria's capital Abuja.
The talks, mediated by the Economic Community of
West African States (ECOWAS), are aimed at resolving Guinea's political
impasse.
Attorney Thierno Balde, president of the Research Institute on
Democracy and Rule of Law said that all is set for
Monday's strike action.
"The
strike has been organized by the union in both the private and the public
sector. They are asking the population to stay home and not go to work to pray
for the people who have been killed on the 28th of September," Balde
said.
He
said the military junta has yet to comment on the strike action.
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"So
far, they haven't made any comment. I think if it doesn't become violent it
will be fine, but so far I haven't heard any comment from them," he said.
Balde
said there are reasons to believe people do not want a repeat of the September
massacre.
"After
what has happened on September 28, no one wants really to have further violence
and I think it is in the interest of everyone to calm things down," Balde said.
He
expressed doubt the junta would react violently to the strike.
"I
think at this stage the military wouldn't take action against the population at
least for these two days." He said.
Balde
said the strike will go on.
"So
far, all the reactions which we are getting (have) been really positive. I
haven't heard anyone who is against the idea, and once again, the call is for
all the union (workers) in Guinea," Balde said.
He
said the strike is also to mourn the dead.
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"All
of the leaders of the union, they got together and decided to call for these
two days mourning, and it is something which will help people to realize
exactly what has happened and pray that these kinds of things not happen again
in Guinea," he said.
Balde
said negotiations are ongoing to calm down tensions.
"Right
now, the political leaders are in Abuja. They are talking to ECOWAS to find out
exactly what statement they are going to make in the coming days and week,"
Balde said.
He
said Guinea's youth is also calling for a five day hunger strike aimed at
encouraging an agreement between all parties to resolve Guinea's crisis.
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