Guinea’s President Mamadi Doumbouya Defends Urban Clearing Operations Amid Protests

Guinea’s President Mamadi Doumbouya has defended the government’s ongoing operations to clear roads, pavements and market areas across Conakry and other urban centres, saying the measures are aimed at safeguarding public health and safety rather than punishing informal traders.

The statement, posted on the President’s official X account on Thursday, follows days of intensified enforcement in which vendors and small‑scale traders have been removed from roadside spaces long used for daily commerce. The clearances have triggered anger among affected communities, with reports of disruptions, economic losses and accusations of excessive force.

A Direct Appeal to Citizens
Opening his message with an appeal to empathy, President Doumbouya addressed the population in personal terms:

“Dear mothers, dear sisters and dear brothers of Guinea, I address you with respect and responsibility.”

He rejected claims that the clearance operations were punitive or dismissive of people’s livelihoods:

“The operations to clear the roads and the areas around the markets are neither a sanction nor a lack of consideration for your courage and your daily work.”

Instead, he framed the initiative as essential for public welfare, referencing hazards faced by roadside vendors, including:

• Traffic accidents
• Pollution and respiratory illness
• Food contamination due to poor sanitary conditions

“These decisions are difficult, I know,” he said. “But they are necessary for the general interest — for a Guinea that is safer, cleaner and more organised.”

Government Promises Alternative Spaces
President Doumbouya pledged that the state, through local authorities, is working to provide safer, regulated alternatives where economic activity can continue legally and with dignity. He urged citizens to view the disruptions as temporary sacrifices for long‑term benefit:

“The sacrifice and discipline of today are the protection of tomorrow. For our children. For our health. For Guinea.”

However, the statement offered no precise timeline for relocations or compensation, despite previous government assurances about phased market upgrades and designated trading zones.

Background to the Clearances
The road‑clearing operations form part of a wider urban renewal effort launched after the 2021 military takeover. Authorities argue that longstanding roadside trading has contributed to:

• Congestion and reduced mobility
• Declining hygiene and food safety standards
• Increased road accidents
• Obstacles to urban planning and redevelopment

Critics — including traders’ unions, civil society groups, and some local leaders — accuse the government of weak consultation, insufficient relocation sites and overly forceful enforcement. The informal sector plays a vital role in Guinea’s economy, particularly for women, who make up the majority of street vendors.

The President’s latest address appears aimed at calming tensions and reshaping public perception of a policy viewed by many as heavy-handed. It also reflects the junta’s broader effort to maintain legitimacy during an extended transition marked by periodic protests and economic strain.

Mixed Public Reactions
Supporters applauded the message as necessary for restoring order and modernising Conakry’s urban environment. They argue that unregulated street markets pose real dangers and hinder national development.

Opponents said the President’s words understimate the immediate economic pain for low‑income households and questioned whether adequate alternative spaces truly exist. Some political observers described the speech as an attempt to pre‑empt criticism as enforcement expands to additional cities.

As operations continue, attention now turns to whether government promises of safer, organized trading areas will materialize — and whether the authorities can balance urban policy with the livelihoods of the country’s most vulnerable workers.