Guinea’s warning against press freedom protest

Conakry – Guinea’s military leaders have warned they will severely deal with those responsible for any violence during yesterday’s planned protest against restrictions on press freedom and internet access.

For several weeks, access to the internet has been severely limited in the West African nation, which has been ruled by military leaders since a 2021 coup.

Authorities have also imposed restrictions on nonofficial media, with social networks and private radio stations cut off, news websites interrupted or suspended and journalists assaulted or arrested.

Minister of Territorial Administration Mory Conde issued a strong warning on Wednesday against “messages calling for violence”.

He added: “I reassure the people of Guinea [of] the government’s determination to put these individuals out of action and to prosecute the perpetrators and sponsors of any acts of violence that may occur following these calls for demonstrations.”

The Union of Press Professionals of Guinea (SPPG) has called for a demonstration yesterday “to free the media and social networks”. The move is supported by the National Front for the Defence of the

Constitution (FNDC), a coalition of opposition parties and civil society groups, which continues to speak out against the ruling junta despite its dissolution. Military leaders banned demonstrations in 2022. The country’s press community is also divided. Any political or social organisations involved in the protest risked being suspended or banned, Conde added. Guinea’s Foreign Minister Morissanda Kouyate last week told foreign diplomats curbs on internet access were needed because of a “security problem”. Around 15 ambassadors or representatives – including from the European Union, the United States and China – had met Kouyate to voice concerns about restrictions on freedom of expression and internet access.

Authorities on Wednesday suspended the news website depecheguinee.com for nine months following an article claiming a considerable amount of Guinean public funds may have been embezzled and blocked in Dubai.

French journalist Thomas Dietrich was recently arrested in Conakry after taking part in an investigation into the National Petroleum Company (Sonap) and the assets of its general director, according to French trade union SNJ-CGT.

Protest to free the media and social networks