Original Source: newscentral.africa
In a striking report released on Monday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Guinea’s military rulers of inflicting torture and stifling dissent. The junta’s oppressive measures include silencing critics, shutting down independent media, and violently suppressing protests. Led by Mamady Doumbouya, whose rise followed a coup in September 2021, the regime mirrors the brutal tactics of his predecessor, Alpha Condé.
A bleak reality unfolds as security forces employ excessive force against demonstrators, resulting in the tragic loss of 59 lives, among them five innocent children, since June of last year. Additionally, two political activists, Fonike Mengue and Mamadou Billo Bah, have reportedly vanished and are believed to have been tortured, heightening the atmosphere of fear surrounding the junta’s reign.
Despite a pledge to restore civilian rule by late 2024, doubts linger regarding the junta’s sincerity in returning Guinea to democracy. HRW’s findings paint a dire picture of human rights abuses, underscoring the urgent need for global intervention to halt these violations and ensure a meaningful transition back to civilian governance.
The situation in Guinea is characterized by a military Junta that came to power following a coup. The junta’s leadership has been marked by allegations of human rights violations, including torture and suppression of free expression. With ongoing protests and a commitment to restore civilian rule by a specific deadline, the junta’s actions have raised serious concerns among international observers about the future of democracy in the region.
The damning report by Human Rights Watch reveals the grim reality of life under Guinea’s military junta, where dissent is met with harsh retaliation. The high toll of human rights abuses, coupled with unfulfilled promises for a return to civilian rule, paints a stark picture of the challenges facing the nation. Urgent international action is necessary to halt these violations and support a genuine transition to democracy.
