Prominent media activist Sekou Jamal Pendessa, detained for calling a demonstration against censorship, was released on Wednesday after an appeal hearing, according to an AFP journalist. His release was a key demand of an ongoing general strike that has entered its third day.
Pendessa, secretary general of the Union of Press Professionals of Guinea (SPPG), had been imprisoned for over a month before receiving a six-month sentence, three of which were suspended, on Friday. The appeal reduced his sentence further, allowing for his immediate release.
“This is a victory for democracy, justice against injustice, and against the arbitrary,” Pendessa declared following the ruling. He vowed to continue the fight against perceived dictatorship and hold authorities accountable.
Following his release, Pendessa met with fellow union members to discuss the ongoing strike in the military-ruled nation. The strike, called by 13 unions and supported by major political parties and civil society organizations, demands lower food prices, an end to media censorship, and improved living conditions for civil servants.
Protests had become rare under junta leader General Mamady Doumbouya, who seized power in a September 2021 coup and banned protests in 2022. The current strike has significantly impacted Conakry and continues to slow down activity across the country, despite a slight increase in activity in the capital compared to earlier days. Schools, banks, insurance companies, and some businesses remain closed, while hospitals and administrative offices operate with minimal staff.
The announcement of Pendessa’s release comes amidst increasing social unrest. On Tuesday, the junta appointed a new prime minister, following the surprise dissolution of the previous government eight days prior.
The military has also arrested opposition leaders, civil society members, and press representatives while restricting media access. Though internet restrictions were lifted on Friday after three months, the opposition remains critical of the junta’s perceived authoritarian tendencies and its commitment to a promised civilian government by the end of 2024.
