As Guinea prepares to hold a referendum on a new constitution on 21 September 2025, ARTICLE 19 calls on the authorities to protect human rights, particularly freedom of expression, the cornerstone of any democracy. We emphasise the importance of protecting these fundamental rights in order to guarantee a fair, inclusive, and transparent electoral process. We urge the authorities to ensure the referendum is the first step towards restoring democracy.
‘This referendum should represent a decisive turning point for the return to constitutional order and Guinea’s respect for its regional and international commitments, including ensuring citizens have free participation in public and political affairs. We call for a peaceful climate and the complete lifting of the current measures on political parties and the media. The integrity of this referendum will depend on the active commitment of the Guinean authorities to respect human rights and democratic principles,’ said Alfred Nkuru Balakali, Regional Director of ARTICLE 19 West Africa.
On 21 September, Guinean citizens will vote in a referendum for a new constitution that will allow the current transition authority leader, Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya, to run for the presidency. Although the military junta had promised to return the country to civilian rule, and this referendum could facilitate this, the provision allowing Doumbouya to put himself forward as a presidential candidate goes against a promise he made when he seized power in September 2021. At that time, Doumbouya pledged to lead the country on a temporary basis.
The period leading up to this referendum was marked by worrying violations of freedom of expression, the right to association, and media freedom. The last 2020 presidential election sparked considerable controversy, with the re-election of President Alpha Condé for a third term in a poll marred by accusations of fraud and post-election violence. Almost one year later, on 5 September, 2021, a military coup led by Colonel Doumbouya overthrew President Condé. The military regime set up the National Committee of the Rally for Development (CNRD), which suspended the Guinean Constitution and dissolved institutions. It promised a transition to elections, but postponed the process to 2025. The referendum comes ahead of an election, but no date has so far been set, and it is not clear whether voting will take place this year.
Since Doumbouya came to power, Guinea’s civic space has drastically shrunk, marked by the suspension of political parties, arbitrary arrests, and media censorship. Although authorities have taken recent measures to ease restrictions on political space, this was only after several media managers apologised and promised to follow the appropriate legal and regulatory procedures set out by the current regime. These restrictions threaten the rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association, as well as citizens’ ability to fully participate in the political process. Instances of suspension and crackdown include:
- On 13 September, the radio outlet Sabari FM was suspended for 45 days, and Sab TV prohibited from rebroadcasting a programme by a journalist banned by the High Authority of Communication (HAC).
- On 6 September, HAC indefinitely suspended media outlet Guineematin for failure to comply with the principles of impartiality, equality, neutrality, and balance of news during the referendum campaign period, and for violation of current regulations; the measure was lifted on 10 September following an apology from the media outlet’s manager.
- On 1 September, HAC suspended Guinee360.com for three months for violation of media coverage rules; this suspension was lifted on 8 September after the Director General committed to respect and ensure with greater attention the balanced, objective, and professional treatment of information.
- On 24 August, journalist Mamoudou Boullère Diallo, administrator for the website Leguide.info, was arrested following a post on the media outlet’s Facebook page. The post reported that the army had issued an eviction notice, citing a source at the town hall of Coyah. Mamoudou Boullère Diallo was released on 25 August without any charges.
- On 22 August, authorities issued a 90-day suspension of activities (meetings, demonstrations, campaigns) for three major parties: the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG), the Rally of the People of Guinea (RPG), and the Party for Renewal and Progress (PRP). Authorities provided the official reason as administrative non-compliance.
- On 14 March, authorities suspended 28 political parties, including the Rally of the Guinean People (RPG) led by Alpha Condé, former President of the Republic of Guinea. This suspension followed an evaluation report on political parties, prepared by the National Directorate of Political Affairs and Electoral Administration. The report said that the parties were suspended because they failed to renew committees and other bodies within the party in line with legal requirements, and to provide necessary administrative documents.
Although authorities lifted some restrictions on some media outlets, the initial imposition of the restrictions created a climate of mistrust in the run-up to the referendum, and prompted concerns that the vote would not comply with international standards on election processes. The ongoing suspension of opposition parties limits pluralism, while media sanctions, although now lifted for Guinee360.com and Guineematin, did temporarily hamper access to free information.
ARTICLE 19 urges the Guinean authorities to take concrete measures to protect the rights of voters and people in Guinea in accordance with numerous African resolutions, including the resolution of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights on Elections in Africa – ACHPR/Res.433(LXV) 2019, which calls on State Parties to the African Charter to create conditions conducive to peaceful, free, fair, and transparent elections and referendums, allowing citizens to exercise their right to vote without intimidation, violence or other obstacles, and to guarantee the credibility of the electoral process, as well as to ensure that citizens can exercise their right to vote in a safe atmosphere, free from intimidation and violence.
For more information, please contact:
ARTICLE 19 West Africa Maateuw Mbaye, Program Officer/Protection & Civic Space E: [email protected] ; Mobile: + 221785958337
Office Line: +221338690322 E: [email protected]