Political Sentencing Sparks Controversy in Guinea
The Guinean government has defended the two-year prison sentence handed down to Aliou Bah, leader of the MoDeL party, for allegedly offending President Mamadi Doumbouya.
While government representatives insist the sentence stems from legal consequences for defamation, critics have labeled the trial a politically motivated attempt to silence dissent.
Divided Strategies Among Opposition Forces
Siaka Barry, President of the MPDG Party, expressed differing strategies among opposition groups regarding the junta. 
While the Forces Vives de Guinée have openly rejected the junta following the December 31 transition deadline and encouraged public protests, Barry stated, “We do not share the same tactics or strategy as the Forces Vives.” He emphasized the need for an inclusive dialogue instead of confrontational protests.
Freedom of Expression Under Threat
The Guinean government maintains that no political leaders have been exiled or penalized for expressing criticism. However, critics argue otherwise.
Siaka Barry highlighted the challenges faced by citizens, stating, “Freedom of expression is a scarce resource in our nation. People can no longer speak openly without fear of repercussions. Aliou Bah exemplifies this situation today.”
Calls for International Intervention
Amid political turbulence, Barry called on the international community to actively engage with Guinea. “Currently, nothing has changed. ECOWAS is silent and inactive. We urge the international community to intervene and redefine the next steps of the transition,” he said.
As Guinea grapples with political tension and debates over freedom of expression, the government’s stance and the imprisonment of Aliou Bah have further deepened divisions in the nation.
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