# Political detentions in Guinea and Guinea-Bissau

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/political-detentions-in-guinea-and-guinea-bissau
> Updated: 2026-11-06T18:38:57.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 2.

In Guinea-Bissau, former military judge Brigadier-General Daba Naualna has been released from detention after nearly a year in prison. His release follows a July Supreme Court of Justice decision declaring his preventive detention null and void. Naualna had been arrested in late 2025 following an alleged coup attempt against then-President Umaro Sissoco Embaló. His release, along with three other individuals, was reportedly delayed for months due to political tensions between transitional authorities and the former president.

In Guinea, opposition leader Mamadou Aliou Bah, president of the Liberal Democratic Movement (MoDeL), was released from the Sonfonia gendarmerie camp on November 6, 2026, after nearly 23 months in detention. Bah was originally arrested on December 26, 2024, and sentenced in January 2025 to two years in prison for allegedly committing offense and defamation against the head of state, charges he has consistently contested. 

His release was facilitated by a presidential pardon granted by transitional president General Mamadi Doumbouya on October 2, 2026, to celebrate the country’s independence. As part of the pardon, Bah was required to complete a mandatory 45-day civic training and social reintegration program at the Sonfonia camp. The conclusion of this program was attended by the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Ibrahima Sory II Tounkara. His detention had previously drawn international attention, including a call for his unconditional release from the ECOWAS Court of Justice.

## Claims

- A court sentenced Aliou Bah to two years in prison in January 2025. (reported by 6 sources)
- Aliou Bah was arrested on December 26, 2024. (reported by 3 sources)
- Aliou Bah was released on November 6, 2026. (reported by 6 sources)
- President Mamadi Doumbouya granted a pardon on October 2, 2026. (reported by 6 sources)
- The pardon required a 45-day civic training and reintegration course. (reported by 6 sources)
- Aliou Bah was convicted of offense and defamation against the head of state. (reported by 5 sources)
- Aliou Bah was detained for nearly 23 months. (reported by 4 sources)
- The ECOWAS Court of Justice ordered Bah's unconditional release on June 25, 2026. (reported by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-11-06: Guinea opposition leader Aliou Bah released from detention

Guinean opposition leader Aliou Bah has been released after nearly 23 months in prison, following a presidential pardon and the completion of a mandatory 45-day civic reintegration program.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/guinean-opposition-leader-aliou-bah-released-from-detention

### 2026-10-31: Guinea-Bissau releases former military judge Daba Naualna

Former Guinea-Bissau military judge Daba Naualna and three others have been released following a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated their detention related to an alleged 2025 coup attempt.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/guinea-bissau-releases-former-military-judge-daba-naualna

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Cite as: Political detentions in Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/political-detentions-in-guinea-and-guinea-bissau