What You Need to Know
The UN Human Rights Office has expressed grave concern over the forced disappearance of relatives of Guinean artist and opposition figure Elie Kamano. Armed individuals stormed his home in Conakry, abducting his two children and two nephews, all minors, along with another relative. Only a 7-year-old child has been released so far.
Africa. The UN Human Rights Office has expressed grave concern over what it describes as the “forced disappearance” of several relatives of Guinean artist and opposition figure Elie Kamano. This follows an armed raid on his home in Conakry early Sunday, during which two of his children, two nephews—all minors—and another relative were taken. Only a 7-year-old child has been released so far.
The Guinean artist, known for his protest songs against the military regime, posted a video on social media condemning what he termed a “kidnapping” of his family, holding the authorities responsible for their safety.
In an official statement, UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Seif Magango urged Guinean authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure the immediate and safe release of the abducted individuals and to conduct a “swift, thorough, and impartial” investigation to hold those responsible for these violations accountable.
Context of Increasing Violations
Since the military coup in September 2021, Guinea has seen a rise in arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances, alongside repression of dissenting voices. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk previously noted the disappearance of at least 10 individuals after being detained by security forces, confirming that these practices are on the rise.
In addition to Kamano’s relatives, the UN is calling for clarity on the fate of five other individuals, including activists Foniki Mengui and Mamadou Bilo Bah, former mining ministry official Saadou Nimaga, and journalist Habib Marwan Kamara. The commission views these cases as indicative of a serious decline in fundamental rights and freedoms since the military council assumed power three years ago.
These developments come amid growing international fears that Guinea may become a new battleground for systematic violations against opponents, in the absence of independent oversight mechanisms and weakened judicial institutions. Observers assert that the continuation of these practices threatens the political and social stability of the country and increases the military regime’s isolation on the international stage.
Since the military coup in September 2021, Guinea has witnessed a surge in arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances, alongside increased repression of dissenting voices. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk previously highlighted the disappearance of at least 10 individuals following their detention by security forces, indicating a troubling trend in human rights violations.
The UN is also demanding clarity on the fate of five other individuals, including activists and a former mining ministry official. These cases reflect a serious decline in fundamental rights and freedoms since the military council took power three years ago, raising international concerns about Guinea.
