CONAKRY – A leading opposition figure in Guinea was apprehended by “masked men” and taken from his home yesterday morning, sources close to his family said.

Abdoul Sacko is part of a coalition known as the Forum of Active Forces made up of the main parties, trade unions and NGOs who are calling for power to be returned to civilians.

Guinea is currently under the rule of a military junta headed by General Mamadi 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 leave the West African country, and several news outlets have been shut down.

“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).

Sources close to Sako said he was taken by men who arrived in three vehicles and were not wearing military uniforms, but had their faces covered.

“First, they went into one of the neighbouring houses. They tied up some of the people there, and asked them where he lived. They showed them a photo of Abdoul Sacko,” a source said on condition of anonymity. The men then proceeded to Sacko’s house in the suburbs of Guinea’s capital Conakry, where they took him away with his phones, and “left without touching anyone else”, another source added.

“We condemn this kidnapping and we call for his unconditional release,” said Biro Barry, part of the Forum of Social Forces and a Sacko ally.

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 11 March 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. -Nampa/AFP