On Monday, October 24, a number of Guinean political figures were interrogated and detained throughout the day, prompting the opposition to condemn what they claim is a new attempt by the junta in power to stifle dissent.
Fodรฉ Oussou Fofana, Cellou Baldรฉ, Bano Sow, Mamadou Sylla, Dembo Sylla, Pรฉpรฉ Francis, Etienne Soropogui, and Bouya Konatรฉ, according to one of their attorneys, are being prosecuted for their involvement in or support of last week’s anti-junta rallies, which resulted in the deaths of three persons.
“We believe that our clients benefit from the presumption of innocence and have already told their part of the truth in relation to the charges brought against them, which were even mentioned in the letters of convocation, namely prohibited assembly, provocation of prohibited demonstrations and several other assaults and injuries, and others.” Me Salifou Bรฉavogui, Lawyer of some of the indicted political leaders said.
The politicians were released later that evening but are scheduled to return on Thursday.
The National Front for the Defense of the Constitution (FNDC) organized the demonstration to advocate for the immediate installation of a civilian-led administration and the immediate release of all political prisoners.
The group described the ruling junta as “dictatorial” in a statement issued last Thursday, and named the three victims as Thierno Bella Diallo, Boubacar Diallo, and Thierno Moussa Barry. Additionally, it stated that numerous additional persons had been detained and that 20 people had been shot.
Their deaths were confirmed by justice minister Alphonse Charles Wright in a statement on Friday, although he added that the causes “need to be clarified by autopsy.”
Without addressing the alleged offenders, he ordered charges while emphasizing the authorities’ resolve to end impunity.
In a nation with a history of political violence, rights groups frequently accuse Guinean police and gendarmes of employing excessive force, and the government of doing nothing.
The identity of a member of the security services whose picture has gone viral on social media was mandated by the justice minister and must be done “without delay.” He can be seen in a video shooting a pistol towards an unidentified target.
Since a coup in September 2021 that toppled president Alpha Conde after more than ten years in office, the impoverished but mineral-rich West African nation has been governed by the military.
The FNDC, a coalition of political parties, labor unions, and community organizations, led demonstrations against Conde before to his overthrow.
In August, the junta-appointed government formally dissolved it.
The coalition has demanded that peaceful protests be held in Conakry on Thursday and across the country on October 26.
Last month, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) suspended Guinea and slapped sanctions on a number of people.
The ultimatum, which technically ends this weekend, allowed the reigning junta one month to provide a “realistic and acceptable” schedule for the restoration of civilian authority.
ECOWAS has warned that it will enact “more severe measures” if they don’t comply.
