Guinea’s transitional government announced on Monday, September 2, the temporary suspension of the granting of licences to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and associative movements for a period of four months.
The Minister for Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, General Ibrahima Khalil Condé, justified the move by citing a number of factors,, including the malfunctioning of the statutory bodies of certain NGOs and associations, alleged acts of public disorder committed by some of these organisations and the need for an in-depth evaluation of the operation of these bodies at the national level.
During this period of suspension, established NGOs and associations will not be spared. According to the document received by the APA, the renewal of their authorisations will be subject to a prior evaluation by the National Directorate for the Regulation and Promotion of Non Governmental Organisations and Associative Movements (DNARPROMA).
This assessment will focus on whether the actions carried out on the ground are in line with the statutory objectives declared by these organisations.
This decision, which came into force as soon as it was signed, is already raising questions about freedom of association in Guinea and could have a significant impact on the work of humanitarian and development organisations in the country.
This decision comes at a time when NGOs are calling on the government of Mamadou Oury Bah to shed light on the disappearance of two members of the National Front for the Defence of the Constitution (FNDC). The FNDC has had no news of Oumar Sylla, known as Foniké Menguè, and Mamadou Billo Bah since their arrest in July.
AC/sf/lb/GIK/APA