Guinean investigative journalist Habib Marouane Kamara, editor-in-chief of an online platform, has reportedly been abducted in Conakry, Guinea’s capital, according to his wife and lawyer.
Kamara was last seen on the evening of December 3, 2024, while en route to meet a businessman and a friend, said his wife, Mariama Lamarana Diallo. Witnesses claim he was forcibly taken by men dressed in security forces uniforms.
Abduction Details
Diallo recounted that Kamara and his friend were stopped by armed men in a pickup truck, who broke the vehicle’s rear windshield and dragged Kamara out. The journalist was beaten with batons until he lost consciousness, then taken away in the truck. His friend was briefly detained but later released and has since gone into hiding.
Kamara’s family and lawyer, Salifou Beavogui, have not heard from him since the incident. “I am speechless,” said Diallo, breaking into tears while addressing reporters.
Political Context
Guinea has been under military rule since a 2021 coup ousted President Alpha Condé. The ruling junta, led by Mamadi Doumbouya, promised a return to civilian governance but has faced criticism for delays. Elections are scheduled for 2025, though no specific date has been announced.
Earlier this year, the transitional government dissolved numerous political parties and placed leading opposition groups under observation. Critics argue that Doumbouya’s leadership mirrors the authoritarian tendencies of his predecessor, despite promises of reform.
Guinea joins a growing list of West African nations, including Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, where military coups have disrupted governance and delayed democratic transitions.