Police ban demos during AU Summit

The police have banned all demonstrations during the African Union summit in Accra which starts Sunday.

Several groups from across Africa had planned protests during the summit, which runs until July 3.


More than 2,000 police and an unspecified number of soldiers have been drafted in to provide security for the summit in the Ghanaian capital.


Accra Region Police Commander, Douglas Akrofi Asiedu told would-be protestors to postpone their demonstrations until after July 3.


"We said they should postpone it because the date selected for the demonstration is not ideal for security," he told a local radio station. "We are overstretched and it would be very difficult for us to get police to protect them."

Amongst the wouldbe protesters were Zimbabwean activists led by the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change.


Another group had intended to stage a protest against Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh, for failing to investigate the deaths of 44 Ghanaian migrants in Banjul in 2005.


Another organization had intended to highlight the Darfur conflict in Sudan.


Demonstrations do not necessarily need police permits in Ghana. But it is mandatory for organisers to inform the police and make security arrangements.