Guinean authorities revoke passports of opposition leaders

Guinean authorities have revoked the passports of several opposition figures, a move human rights defenders describe as an escalation of political repression. Most recently, Sékou Koundouno and Ibrahima Diallo, two leaders of the Front National pour la Défense de la Constitution (FNDC), were blocked at the Abidjan airport in Côte d'Ivoire. The two activists were in the region to attend the funeral of former Prime Minister Sidya Touré when they were informed by border police that their travel documents were no longer valid, preventing their return to exile in Belgium.

Human rights advocate Alioune Tine has condemned these actions, attributing the revocations to President Mamadi Doumbouya. Tine noted that the measures follow the previous revocation of the passport belonging to UFDG president Cellou Dalein Diallo. Tine compared these tactics to those used by authoritarian regimes to effectively render political opponents stateless, calling for an end to silence regarding human rights violations in West Africa.

The FNDC has expressed support for the blocked members, characterizing the move as an act of fear and paranoia by the ruling junta. As of the latest reports, Guinean authorities have not issued an official statement regarding the revocations.