Bafatá prison inmates in Guinea-Bissau begin hunger strike

More than 30 inmates at the Bafatá High Security Prison in eastern Guinea-Bissau have launched an indefinite hunger strike. The protest is a response to a ban on inmates leaving their cells to access the facility's recreation yard.

The shortage of prison staff is reportedly the cause of the restriction. Six guards are currently on leave to attend training courses in Bissau, and the prison director has allegedly ordered that no replacements be provided. Inmates reported to family members that they were confined to their cells for more than 24 consecutive hours this past Sunday without access to the yard.

Local Catholic radio station Sol Mansi reported the situation, citing sources from the inmates' families. Attempts to reach Bafatá prison officials and the Ministry of Justice for official comment have been unsuccessful.