In a recent statement, Alhoussein Makanéra Kaké, president of the Guinean parliamentary group GMD, shared his thoughts on the protests organized in New York against President Mamadi Doumbouya. According to Kaké, the demonstrations, which were attended by some members of the opposition, have ultimately harmed the image of the opposition itself. He emphasized that while the right to protest is a fundamental aspect of democracy, certain forms of expression have crossed the line into unacceptable behavior.
Kaké stated that the democracy implies the existence of different opinions, including those that oppose the government. He stressed that protesting against the President is a democratic right, as is protesting in his favor. The parliamentarian congratulated those who demonstrated in an orderly and respectful manner, whether in support or against the President. However, he condemned the behavior of some protesters, which he attributed to a few individuals who resorted to insults, hatred, and violence.
The Guinean lawmaker asserted that those who sought to tarnish the image of President Doumbouya have instead exposed their own face to the world. He argued that by choosing insults, hatred, intimidation, and violence against their President and their own country, they have committed a grave political error. Kaké claimed that, in trying to weaken the President, they have actually strengthened the position of his government.
Kaké recalled the positions defended by the presidential majority on the need to preserve peace and national cohesion. He stated that the government has always affirmed its commitment to peace, social calm, tranquility, and national cohesion. The parliamentarian also denounced hate speech and violent outbursts by some opposition actors. According to him, the recent events in New York unfortunately confirm the warnings issued by the presidential majority.
The parliamentarian mentioned the international context, particularly the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Guinea, scheduled to take place in Geneva, Switzerland. Kaké noted that, on the eve of this event, those who sought to discredit the Guinean government have provided it with arguments it would not have needed to seek. He argued that the actions of the opposition have ultimately served the government's communication efforts.
Kaké emphasized that the political debate must remain focused on ideas, not personal attacks. He recalled that democracy does not require loving the President but rather accepting that others may love, support, or contest him without hatred and violence becoming means of expression. The parliamentarian called on the various political actors to preserve the image of the country, stressing that Guinea belongs to all Guineans, both the majority and the opposition.
In conclusion, Kaké reaffirmed his analysis that the New York protests have had an opposite effect to what was sought. He stated that, in trying to combat President Doumbouya, some have contributed to reinforcing the government's discourse on peace and stability. Kaké ended by saying that those who sought to attack the President have ultimately harmed themselves, "In wanting to combat General Mamadi Doumbouya, certain people have mainly contributed to supporting his government's speech: peace and stability on one side, hatred and violence on the other."
Key points
- A Guinean lawmaker says opposition protests in New York against President Mamadi Doumbouya have backfired.
- The protests were marked by violence, insults, and hatred, which have damaged the image of the opposition.
- The lawmaker, Alhoussein Makanéra Kaké, has called for the preservation of peace and national cohesion.
