UN Rights Chief Presses Guinea to Halt Pre‑Election Repression, Urges Guinea‑Bissau Junta to End Arbitrary Detentions

The UN warns that unresolved disappearances together with continuing intimidation risk undermining elections and transitions in both countries.

Overview

Volker Türk called on Guinea to lift restrictions on political participation and stop intimidation ahead of the December 28 presidential election.
He urged prompt, impartial investigations into alleged enforced disappearances, citing four missing relatives of opposition figure Elie Kamano and the abduction of photographer Sanassy Keita.
OHCHR said the timing and targeted nature of these incidents disrupt campaigning, deter voter mobilisation, and threaten the credibility of the electoral process.
In Guinea-Bissau, OHCHR welcomed the release of six opposition figures this week but demanded an immediate end to arbitrary detention and intimidation.
The High Military Command still holds prominent opponents after the November 26 takeover that suspended the electoral process, with authorities pledging further gradual releases as other leaders remain in custody.