Conakry, Guinea – The United Nations has urged Guinea’s transitional military rulers to immediately lift sweeping bans on political parties and media outlets, warning that the country risks further rights violations as it prepares for elections in December.
In a strongly worded statement on Thursday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said the restrictions imposed since the 2021 coup were “unacceptable” and incompatible with the path back to civilian rule.
“The military authorities in Guinea must first and foremost lift the unacceptable bans on political parties and media outlets,” Türk declared. “It is critical for the transitional authorities to ensure that processes towards restoring constitutional rule are conducted in line with international human rights norms and standards, including on public participation, inclusiveness, and transparency.”
Guinea has been under the leadership of General Mamady Doumbouya since the ouster of civilian president Alpha Condé in 2021. Since then, political gatherings have been outlawed, protests banned, and numerous opposition figures have faced arrest, sentencing, or exile. Several media outlets have also been silenced.
The UN rights chief lamented what he described as a “broader assault” on freedoms since the coup. His office reported a disturbing rise in arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances, noting that at least 10 individuals remain missing after being taken by security forces. Among them are outspoken activist Oumar Sylla, better known as Foniké Mengué, and journalist Habib Marouane Camara, both unaccounted for since last year.
Türk called for their immediate release along with all those arbitrarily detained. He further demanded “effective, independent and impartial investigations” into cases of enforced disappearances.
The warning came a day after Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah reassured Guineans that legislative and presidential polls would go ahead this year. Last Sunday, voters approved a new constitution, a charter that opens the way for elections but also controversially permits the junta leader, Doumbouya, to run for president.
Türk also voiced concern over the recent pardon granted to former president Moussa Dadis Camara, sentenced to 20 years for crimes against humanity tied to the 2009 massacre of protesters. “International law prohibits pardons for such serious crimes,” he stressed.
With elections looming, the UN has placed the onus on the junta to show good faith by easing restrictions and respecting rights. Whether Doumbouya’s government complies could determine Guinea’s credibility on the road back to constitutional order.
