Journalist Habib Marouane Camara, the general manager of the news website lerevelateur224.com, was violently abducted on the evening of Tuesday, December 3, by gendarmes near the home of businessman Kerfalla Person Camara, known as “KPC”, in Lambanyi, a suburb of Conakry, Republic of Guinea. A statement from his editorial team informs that the “gendarmes allegedly smashed the front windscreen before forcibly extracting him from his vehicle.”

During a press conference held the following day, the journalist’s lawyer, Mr Salifou Beavogui, denounced the “arbitrary arrest” and demanded the “immediate release” of his client. Guinean authorities claim to be unaware of the journalist’s abduction. As for KPC’s lawyers, they stated that their client “played no role in the events related to the current situation of Mr. Habib Marouane Camara.”

The Guinean Press Professionals’ Union (SPPG) also condemns the arrest of Habib Marouane Camara and calls for his release. The Secretary-General of the SPPG, Sékou Jamal Pendessa, met with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea, Bah Oury, on Wednesday, December 4, to discuss the fate of his colleague.

AfricTivistes, as an organisation committed to defending human rights and fundamental freedoms, vehemently condemns this abduction, which constitutes a violation of Article 8 of the Transition Charter of the Republic of Guinea, stating that “no state of exception should justify violations of human rights,” as well as provisions of Law L002 regarding press freedom in Guinea. We call on the transitional authorities to immediately locate the journalist and ensure his access to a lawyer as soon as possible.

We also emphasise that the detention of Mr. Habib Marouane, carried out outside any legal judicial procedure, contravenes Articles 9, 10, 11, and 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR). We urge the ECOWAS mediator and former President of Benin, Dr. Thomas Boni Yayi, to address the widespread repression against all dissenting voices and the constant threat faced by journalists and human rights activists in Guinea.

This kidnapping of a journalist critical of the military junta in power in Guinea not only raises great concern among his family, loved ones, and human rights defenders but also represents a further violation of fundamental freedoms in Guinea since the junta’s rise to power in September 2021. 

As a reminder, on the night of July 9 to 10, 2024, Oumar Sylla “Foninké Mengué“, national coordinator of the National Front for the Defence of the Constitution (FNDC), and Mamadou Billo Bah, head of FNDC branches and mobilisation, were arrested and detained in Guinea by masked military personnel. Since then, no authority has provided a legal justification for these arrests. According to the FNDC, they are reportedly held in a military camp of special forces, where they risk inhumane treatment. At the time of their arrest, AfricTivistes and other civil society and human rights organisations strongly condemned these actions and demanded their immediate and unconditional release.

Regarding freedom of expression, in May 2023, restrictions began on social media and certain messaging services, particularly during a demonstration organised by the Forces Vives de Guinée. The Association of Bloggers of Guinea (Ablogui), through its president Alfa Diallo, strongly condemned this censorship.

This violation of digital freedoms was exacerbated from November 2023 to February 2024 in the capital Conakry and its surroundings. During this period, users had to resort to virtual private networks (VPNs) to access applications such as WhatsApp, Messenger, Facebook, Telegram, YouTube, and Twitter. Several media outlets also experienced significant disruptions to access their websites. 

We therefore encourage the relevant authorities and all stakeholders to clarify the reasons for these restrictions, which have serious consequences on the daily lives and professional activities of Guineans.

In another vein, press freedom has also been undermined. In May 2024, authorities unlawfully ordered the withdrawal of operating licences for four radio stations and two private television channels. This movement had begun earlier in November 2023, when several Guinean media outlets, such as Fim FM and Djoma Media, had their signals jammed. At that time, the management of Fim FM protested against this measure, which they consider “illegal and repressive,” emphasising that it infringes on press freedom and violates the public’s right to information.

Last October, the ruling junta dissolved more than fifty political parties. This decision constitutes an attack on freedom of association in Guinea. The Transition Charter, adopted following the conclusions of the inclusive national consultations after the 2021 coup, reaffirms the Republic of Guinea’s commitment to the democratic values enshrined in the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

AfricTivistes, as an organisation committed to defending fundamental freedoms, deplores this condemnable situation, which disrupts the daily lives of Guineans. 

Ultimately, we call on the authorities to put an end to these repressive excesses and to respect fundamental freedoms, particularly freedom of expression, press freedom, and the right to access information. These represent alarming messages to civil society actors.