Fatshimetrie, an online investigative media outlet, recently encountered a tragic event in Guinea, reflecting the military authorities’ increasing crackdown on independent media. An investigative journalist, Habib Marouane Kamara, was abducted by men in security forces’ uniforms in the capital, Conakry. Kamara’s wife and his lawyer confirmed the details of his abduction, raising fears for his safety and press freedom in the country.
According to information provided by Mariama Lamarana Diallo, Kamara’s wife, he was on his way to a meeting with a businessman and a friend in Conakry when they were stopped by men in security uniforms. Witnesses described a violent scene where Kamara was violently assaulted before being forcibly taken away in a security forces vehicle. His friend was initially detained but was released after their abduction.
The incident illustrates the growing threat to press freedom in Guinea since the 2021 military coup that ousted President Alpha Condé. Under the military regime led by Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya, the crackdown on independent media has intensified, with arrests, attacks on journalists, and restrictions on access to information.
Despite calls from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for a return to civilian rule and elections in 2025, Guinea’s transitional government has yet to set a date for the polls. International efforts to influence the political situation in Guinea have been rejected by Doumbouya, who says Africa must resolve its own challenges without outside interference.
The situation raises concerns about democracy and human rights in Guinea, as well as press freedom and the safety of journalists. Fatshimetrie, like many other independent media outlets, continues to face obstacles and threats in its investigative work and in raising awareness of societal issues.
It is crucial to defend freedom of expression and the right to information in Guinea and around the world, because without free and independent media, government accountability and transparency are called into question. It is imperative that the international community continue to monitor the situation in Guinea and press for fundamental rights to be respected and protected.