African Civil Society Groups Demand Probe Into Six Bodies Found in Guinea Mass Grave

A coalition of 20 African civil society organisations has called for an independent investigation into the discovery of six unidentified male bodies buried in a mass grave in Guinea.

The bodies were discovered on August 24 in the village of Alassoya, located in the Forecariah administrative prefecture in Lower Guinea. Local residents reportedly found the bodies while gathering firewood.

The victims were reportedly found bound and blindfolded, raising concerns among rights groups about the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

Guinea’s Armed Forces have confirmed the discovery and said the bodies were taken to a hospital in Forecariah for identification and, where possible, to determine how they died.

The organisations, which include the Afrikajom Centre and branches of Tournons La Page (TLP), urged authorities to examine all possible explanations through an investigation that is independent, impartial and transparent.

They also called for national and international forensic experts to assist in formally identifying the victims.

The groups said the discovery adds to concerns over enforced disappearances in Guinea, noting that TLP-Guinea has documented at least 35 cases since September 5, 2021.

They warned that the condition in which the bodies were found could indicate that the victims were subjected to extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.

The Guinean military has promised to investigate the case and said the findings would be made public.

The discovery comes amid continued concerns over human rights and political freedoms in Guinea following General Mamady Doumbouya’s 2021 military coup. Since then, several opposition parties have been suspended, protests have been restricted, and opposition and civil society figures have reportedly been arrested, imprisoned or forced into exile.

France has also urged Guinean authorities to carry out a transparent and independent investigation.

Another mass grave was reportedly discovered in the same region last year, although the identities of those victims and the circumstances of their deaths have yet to be established.

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