Guinea’s junta leader, Mamady Doumbouya, has been promoted to the rank of five-star general in the army. This promotion was initiated by senior Guinean military officers who see it as a recognition of his leadership. Mamady Doumbouya now holds the highest-ranking position in the Guinean army. He assumed power in a military coup on September 5th, 2021, following the overthrow of democratically elected President Alpha Conde. Initially, Doumbouya promised to transfer power to a civilian president by December 31st, 2024, but recent indications suggest he may not be willing to give up power.
Recently, there was a planned street protest against the junta’s suppression of the press, but it was quickly cancelled after security forces surrounded the press house where journalists had gathered. Police arrested more than seven journalists when they left the building in search of food. These journalists were subsequently tried and released by a magistrate court. However, when Pendessa, a journalist who went to the court to support his detained colleagues, celebrated their release, he was taken into custody by security forces. Despite calls for his release from various pressure groups, Pendessa remains in custody.
Internet access is currently severely restricted in Guinea, and several private radio and television stations have been removed from the Canal Starlite channel for alleged security reasons. The relationship between the private press and the military authorities has deteriorated due to the press’s constant exposure of embezzlement and corruption among key members of the junta.
