In a surprising move by the military-led government of Guinea, the country's three leading opposition parties have been suspended. Issued on Saturday, the decree targets the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG), the Renewal and Progress Party (PRP), and the Rally of the Guinean People (RPG), prohibiting their political activities for 90 days.

This suspension comes at a critical time. General Mamadi Doumbouya, the head of the military government, has scheduled a constitutional referendum between August 21 and September 18. This referendum is part of a plan to transition back to civilian rule but has been criticized by opposition groups. The UFDG has been vocally opposed to the new draft constitution, which they argue would perpetuate military rule.

The government cites non-compliance with the Guinean Charter of Political Parties as the reason for the suspensions. The specific violations include failure to notify the Ministry of the Interior about changes in party leadership, not holding conventions, and issues with financial transparency.

In March, an evaluation report on political parties led to the dissolution of 27 parties and the suspension of the RPG, the party of the ousted president Alpha Conde. The UFDG, led by former Prime Minister Cellou Dalein Diallo, was also warned and given 45 days to comply with the regulations.

The suspended parties have been given three months to address these issues, after which their cases will be re-evaluated. However, this move has raised concerns about the fairness and transparency of the upcoming referendum.

Currently, the UFDG is seeking judicial review of the suspension, with a Supreme Court decision expected on August 28. A spokesperson for the UFDG expressed hope that the Supreme Court would limit the Interior Minister's involvement in party operations, emphasizing the need for judicial oversight in political processes.

This development underscores the tense political landscape in Guinea as it attempts to navigate a path back to civilian governance amidst ongoing debates about constitutional reform and the role of the military in public life.