Military Space News
AFRICA NEWS
Guinea opposition condemns 'kidnapping' of leading figure
Guinea opposition condemns 'kidnapping' of leading figure
by AFP Staff Writers
Conakry (AFP) Feb 19, 2025

A leading critic of Guinea's ruling junta was whisked from his home by gunmen who broke in through the ceiling early on Wednesday morning, his wife told AFP.

Abdoul Sacko's Forum of Active Forces movement, which calls for the return of civilian rule in the west African country, condemned the "kidnapping" and pointed the finger at the military junta.

Guinea is currently ruled by general Mamady Doumbouya, who came to power after overthrowing the government in 2021.

The junta has often been accused of cracking down on freedom of expression and silencing dissenting voices. It has routinely banned protests calling for the military to step down and has shut down several news outlets.

Sacko's wife, Oumou Barry, told AFP the men, armed with guns and wearing black face masks and military camouflage trousers, arrived at their home at 4:00 am (GMT) while he was praying.

"They did everything to get in, without being able to open the door. They broke through the ceiling to enter," she said, visibly shaken.

"They slapped him and threw him to the ground. They tied him up and took him away," she said, adding that they had confiscated Sacko's phones.

Traces of the break-in through the ceiling were visible at his home in the suburbs of the capital Conakry, an AFP reporter saw.

In a statement Sacko's Forum of Active Forces movement condemned "with the greatest firmness the violence and terror that marked this abduction".

The coalition, which is made up of the main opposition parties, trade unions and NGOs, slammed "the repressive madness that has gripped the junta".

-'Kidnapping must stop' -

"We are outraged but not surprised by the news of another kidnapping of one of the few critical civil voices from civil society who was still present on the ground," said Alseny Sall of the Guinean Organisation for the Defence of Human Rights (OGDH).

Sacko's lawyer, Almamy Samory Traore said that he was planning to visit various police departments to try and find him.

"We expected this. Our client was regularly receiving threats," Traore said, adding that he had already raised Sacko's case with the prosecutor in Dixinn, a sub-prefecture of Conakry.

"The list of people who have been forcibly disappeared must not get any longer."

Biro Barry, a Sacko ally, said: "We condemn this kidnapping and we call for his unconditional release."

Barry added that any issues with Sacko should have been dealt with by proper legal means and that "this type of kidnapping must stop".

Sacko had previously been arrested on March 11, 2023 for his involvement in organising protests, although he was released later that same day.

Two other opposition figures who called for an end to military rule, Oumar Sylla, also known as Fonike Mengue, and Mamadou Billo Bah, have been missing since July 2024.

Aliou Bah, another opposition figure, in January was sentenced to two years in prison for "offence and defamation" against general Doumbouya.

Related Links
Africa News - Resources, Health, Food

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
AFRICA NEWS
U.N. calls for $6B to fight famine in war-torn Sudan
Washington DC (UPI) Feb 17, 2025
The United Nations called for global action Monday and $6 billion to fight famine and sexual violence in war-torn Sudan where "civilians are paying the highest price" following nearly two years of conflict. "Sudan is a humanitarian emergency of shocking proportions," Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said Monday during a speech in Geneva. "Civilians are paying the highest price, shelling, airstrikes are continuing unabated, killing and injuring civilians, damaging and destroying critica ... read more

AFRICA NEWS
Canada willing to join US 'Iron Dome' missile shield: minister

Russia slams Trump plan for 'Star Wars' missile shield

Teledyne Brown Engineering Completes Successful Launch of Black Dagger Zombie Target Missile

Iron Dome for America: Trump's missile defense effort

AFRICA NEWS
Pregnant teenager among five Ukrainians killed by Russian missile

Russian missile kills four, wounds 20 in east Ukraine: governor

Iran unveils new ballistic missile in show of force

Russian missile attack hits Odesa, wounding seven

AFRICA NEWS
CIA using drones to surveil drug cartels, labs in Mexico

Russia says downed 90 Ukrainian drones and a missile

Elsight's connectivity enables Phoenix Air Unmanned to conduct 320-Mile UAV pipeline patrol for Shell

Russian attack drones, artillery pummel Ukraine killing at least 3, injuring 12

AFRICA NEWS
Satellogic and Telespazio Brasil to provide low-latency satellite imagery for the Brazilian Air Force

Mobix Labs Secures Defense Funding to Advance SATCOM SoC Innovation

ESA and European Commission to establish secure quantum communications network

KP Labs and ESA Unveil PINEBERRY to Enhance AI Security and Transparency in Space Missions

AFRICA NEWS
Shipment of 'heavy' US bombs arrives in Israel: defence ministry

Britain unveils 'firepower' package for Ukraine amid uncertainty over future of war

Moving troops, armaments across Europe 'problematic': EU auditors

US pledges $117 mn in aid to Lebanon military

AFRICA NEWS
Denmark PM says will announce 'massive' rearmament plans

Indian court bails British arms dealer in chopper scam

UK sanctions Russia officials in latest 'Kremlin crackdown'

EU to relax spending rules to boost defence investment

AFRICA NEWS
UK's Starmer says Europe 'must take on a greater role in NATO'

Europe couldn't replace US forces 'overnight': German defence minister

Philippines' Marcos puts China at centre of poll campaign

Europe ready for Trump-style shift, says Project 2025 chief

AFRICA NEWS
Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.