Amnesty International and 17 Guinean rights organisations have called for an urgent investigation into the enforced disappearance of two anti-junta activists, Oumar Sylla (known as Fonike Mengue) and Mamadou Billo Bah, who went missing on July 9 after their arrest over seven weeks ago.
The National Front for the Defence of the Constitution (FNDC) has described their disappearance as a “kidnapping,” while Guinean authorities have denied any involvement.
In a joint statement marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, Amnesty and the rights groups demanded an impartial, independent, and transparent investigation.
They urged the authorities to clarify the circumstances surrounding the disappearances and allegations of torture or ill-treatment. The statement also called for the investigation’s findings to be made public and for those responsible to face justice in fair trials.
The U.S. embassy in Conakry expressed deep concern for the activists’ welfare and welcomed the ongoing investigation, urging transparency to ensure justice. Meanwhile, Guinea’s public prosecutor has denied any arrests and stated that no penitentiary facilities are holding the missing activists.
Since junta leader Mamady Doumbouya took power in a coup in September 2021, the opposition has faced harsh repression, with a crackdown on demonstrations and many leaders detained, prosecuted, or forced into exile.