By Politico staff writer
After the arrest of Aboulaye Sow, Leader of the Guinean Workers Union, (Banks and Insurances), banks and insurance companies in solidarity with their leader have embarked on strike action for the past three days with all their offices closed.
They say their action will continue until their leader is released and freed of all charges they described as unlawful.
Sow was arrested and detained in the main central prison in Conakry after a magistrate ordered his arrest and detention over alleged insults of Guinean judges.
He was said to have recently issued a statement in which he described Guinean judges as corrupt, unfair, and being a group of spent force.
Sow reportedly made the statement after a court in Conakry, ruled in favour of a top Guinean businessman, Abdoulaye Kourouma in a case with Ecobank.
Sow, for the second time, appeared in court yesterday, 20th July 2022, to answer to charges levied against him.
He was charged for insulting the judges and disrespecting court rulings.
The court's prosecutor urged the judge to hand over a six month prison sentence against Absoulaye Sow, or a fine of one million Guinean francs. The Association of Guinean Judges also in a statement declared support for the judge.
Members of the Inter - Trade Unions of Guinea, on Wednesday this week, issued a statement calling for the immediate release of their colleague, or threatened to call for a nationwide strike.
This means there is no end in sight yet to the issue therefore, banks and insurance customers have to hold their breath for the time being.
The case dated far back 2016 but the ruling was recently made by a court in Conakry. The court had ruled that Ecobank pays damages of a hundred billion Guinean francs to the businessman.
In the initial proceedings, Kourouma had all his businesses seized by the court including his bank account pending trial, following a court suit against him by Ecobank over debts and credits allegations.
The trial yesterday of Abdoulaye Sow, was adjourned for today 21st July 2022, while the doors of banks and insurances across the country remained closed.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (22/07/22)
