Guinea's trade unions are calling for atwo day nationwide strike beginning Monday to mourn the killing of unarmedopposition protesters.
Some concerned Guineans say the strike could anger themilitary junta, which is blamed for the killings.
More than 150 protesters werekilled on September 28 when soldiers shot dead opponents protesting thepossible candidacy of junta leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara in next year'sgeneral election.
Monday'sstrike coincides with ongoing discussions between the junta and the oppositionin Nigeria's capital Abuja.
The talks, mediated by the Economic Community ofWest African States (ECOWAS), are aimed at resolving Guinea's politicalimpasse.
Attorney Thierno Balde, president of the Research Institute onDemocracy and Rule of Law said that all is set forMonday's strike action.
"Thestrike has been organized by the union in both the private and the publicsector. They are asking the population to stay home and not go to work to prayfor the people who have been killed on the 28 of September," Baldesaid.
Hesaid the military junta has yet to comment on the strike action.
"Sofar, they haven't made any comment. I think if it doesn't become violent itwill be fine, but so far I haven't heard any comment from them," he said.
Baldesaid there are reasons to believe people do not want a repeat of the Septembermassacre.
"Afterwhat has happened on September 28, no one wants really to have further violenceand I think it is in the interest of everyone to calm things down," Balde said.
Heexpressed doubt the junta would react violently to the strike.
"Ithink at this stage the military wouldn't take action against the population atleast for these two days." He said.
Baldesaid the strike will go on.
"Sofar, all the reactions which we are getting (have) been really positive. Ihaven't heard anyone who is against the idea, and once again, the call is forall the union (workers) in Guinea," Balde said.
Hesaid the strike is also to mourn the dead.
"Allof the leaders of the union, they got together and decided to call for thesetwo days mourning, and it is something which will help people to realizeexactly what has happened and pray that these kinds of things not happen againin Guinea," he said.
Baldesaid negotiations are ongoing to calm down tensions.
"Rightnow, the political leaders are in Abuja. They are talking to ECOWAS to find outexactly what statement they are going to make in the coming days and week,"Balde said.
Hesaid Guinea's youth is also calling for a five day hunger strike aimed atencouraging an agreement between all parties to resolve Guinea's crisis.