COTU(K) Press Release: Appeal For The Restoration of Civilian Rule in Guinea-Conakry.

In my capacity as the President of the Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) which is a Pan-African trade union organization that represents 73 affiliated national trade union centers drawn from the 54 African countries, I am writing to seek the immediate intervention of the African Union in ensuring the restoration of civilian rule in Guinea-Conakry and the release of President Alpha Condé.

Issues of Coup d’état in the African Continent are primitive, uncouth and crude methods used in the yesteryears to gain power; but considering we have over time embraced democracy, freedom of speech, peace and tolerance such ill-advised methods should not be encouraged or used to gain power.

I am, therefore, appealing to the leadership of the African Union to move with speed and consolidate the support of other African States, including the support of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other Regional Economic Communities (RECs), to intervene and restore democracy in Guinea-Conakry. They must, in the process, make sure that president Condé is released to continue enjoying his freedom as dictated by democracy.

I say this knowing all too well that as a continent we are alive to the challenges that Guinea-Conakry is facing and we appreciate the fact that they can be addressed by a constitutional way and not through coups.

This is the position of the Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU).

Yours Sincerely,

Dr. Francis Atwoli, NOM (DZA), CBS, EBS, MBS

PRESIDENT, ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN TRADE UNION UNITY