In Guinea, the Union of Press Professionals (SPPG) held a press conference on May 27, 2024 following bans on private media with a wide following in the country. A call for a general strike is in preparation, according to the Secretary General of the SPPG, Sékou Jamal Pendessa.
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With our correspondent in Conakry, Matthias Raynal
Less than a week after the authorities closed the main TV and radio channels in Guineathe Press Union (SPPG) took the floor this Monday morning to announce its response.
A call for a general strike is being prepared: this was declared by the Secretary General of the SPPG, Sékou Jamal Pendessa. An official letter will be sent to the CNTG, the National Confederation of Workers of Guinea. “ They want silence, they will have it from Yomou to Conakry », warns Pendessa, convinced that the civil service will rally behind the movement, that even “ the presidential drivers will stop work “.
No date for this walkout, no further details. Moreover, the trade unionist leaves the mystery hanging over the real strategy of the SPPG. “ We will adjust it gradually to adapt it to the height of the provocation “, he said. To maintain the element of surprise, he prefers not to reveal more.
Read alsoGuinea: the government prohibits the broadcasting of several private media
During his press conference, Pendessa returned to the withdrawal of approvals from Hadafo Medias, Djoma and FIM FM last week. An illegal decision, he denounces, because, according to him, the ministry cannot take such a measure; it is up to the HAC, the High Authority of Communication, to refer the matter to the executive. In any case, the decision is not sufficiently motivated, explains Pendessa. The slippages referred to in the ministerial decree are not clearly explained.
The next meeting for the union is this Saturday, at the press center. He plans to organize a General Assembly open to all media workers.
As a reminder, the withdrawal of approvals comes after several months of standoff between the transitional power and the media in Guinea.
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