Two demonstrations by different movements are planned in Bissau this Saturday, with the government warning prosecutors and citizens to “refuse” to take to the streets and disrupt public order.
We are talking about two marches organized by different movements at the same time, along the same route and meeting point – Chapa de Bissau.
One of the demonstrations was organized by the so-called Popular Front, made up of several organizations, which says it wants to “save democracy” in Guinea-Bissau and understands that the country is going through an “absolutist experience” centered on the president. Umaro Sissoko Embalo.
Another demonstration was organized by the Respect for State Power movement, which supports Sissoko Embalo against “anarchy” and argues that people’s feelings should be expressed through voting rather than “insults.”
The initiators of both initiatives ensure that they have provided information about the respective demonstrations to the competent authorities, but National Police Commissioner Salvador Soares said that the authorities “officially do not have any documents from the initiators.”
The Commissioner spoke at a press conference to “promulgate the decision of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Public Order” in the form of an appeal.
Salvador Soares asked “all citizens of the country and of the movement that plan to hold marches to refrain from carrying them out, since there are no security conditions that could ensure the observation of these two movements.”
According to him, this conclusion is the result of “an analysis and survey carried out by law enforcement forces regarding the possibility of holding this march” and the conclusion that “there are no security conditions for holding these marches on Saturday.”
The first reason, as already mentioned, is that the government’s decision in January decree to ban all types of processions and rallies on public roads remains in force until further decision.
Another reason is “lack of security as there are two movements on the same day for different purposes.”
Asked about the arguments of those who argue that the decision is contrary to the Constitution, which includes the right to assembly and demonstration, the commissioner said that the government also has the right to review security conditions.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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