Dozens of civil society members and political parties in Guinea have called for the immediate release of opposition leader Aliou Bah, arrested for allegedly insulting the head of the military junta.
Bah, who leads the Liberal Democratic Movement (MoDel), was detained last week and remains in custody. His arrest is part of a broader crackdown on opposition voices under the junta of General Mamady Doumbouya, who seized power in a 2021 coup.
Aliou Bah, who vowed to continue his campaign despite the detention, was arrested while travelling to Sierra Leone. Critics argue his arrest is part of a wider campaign by the ruling National Committee of Reconciliation and Development (CNRD) to suppress dissent and eliminate opposition.
Human rights groups have condemned the junta’s increasing repression, highlighting numerous cases of forced disappearances and violence against opponents. Despite international pressure, the junta has indicated it will not meet its promise to restore civilian rule by the end of 2024.
