Violent clashes broke out in Guinea’s capital on Tuesday as protesters took to the streets to demand the release of two prominent pro-democracy activists. Security forces responded with tear gas, leading to injuries on both sides.
Demonstrators erected barricades and hurled stones at police officers in several neighborhoods around Conakry, according to local authorities. The clashes intensified as young protesters, familiar with the city’s layout, proved difficult to contain.At least two police officers sustained injuries during the unrest.
In response, security forces deployed tear gas to disperse the crowds. Medical personnel reported treating seven protesters for injuries caused by the gas canisters.
The protests were called by civil society groups in defiance of a government ban on demonstrations. The demonstrations are centered around the alleged abduction of Oumar Sylla, known as Fonike Mengue, and Mamadou Billo Bah by security forces on July 9.
While the government denies any involvement in the activists’ disappearance, their supporters and international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, claim they are being held incommunicado, a violation of international law.
The latest unrest marks a further escalation of tensions in Guinea since the military coup led by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya in 2021. The junta has faced mounting criticism for its crackdown on dissent, with numerous opposition leaders arrested, prosecuted, or forced to flee the country.