Guinea’s military ruler, General Mamadi Doumbouya, has pardoned opposition politician Aliou Bah, who had been jailed for nearly two years for insulting the head of state.
Bah, leader of the Liberal Democratic Movement (MoDeL), was among 217 prisoners granted presidential pardons to mark Guinea’s Independence Day, according to a presidential decree read on state television by the Secretary-General of the Presidency, Amara Camara.
Bah had been detained since December 2024 and sentenced in January 2025 to two years in prison for “offending and insulting” the head of state.
An appeals court upheld the sentence in May 2025, despite prosecutors seeking a five-year prison term.
Bah was convicted over remarks in which he urged Guinean religious leaders to speak out about the country’s political situation and described the ruling National Committee of Reconciliation and Development (CNRD) as “incompetent”.
His case was also brought before the Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
In a letter dated September 25, the regional court asked Guinea’s Supreme Court to order Bah’s immediate and unconditional release.
His pardon comes amid growing concerns from rights groups and opposition figures over restrictions on political freedoms under Guinea’s military authorities.
Gen. Doumbouya seized power in September 2021 after overthrowing President Alpha Conde, Guinea’s first democratically elected leader.
He strengthened his hold on power after winning the December 2025 presidential election, which was not contested by any major opposition challenger.
Several major political parties have since been dissolved, while demonstrations have been banned or dispersed by security forces.
A number of government critics have also been arrested, convicted, forced into exile or reported missing.
Africanews
