2024-09-26 08:52:39
Get real-time updates directly to your device, subscribe now.
We learned with amazement that the headquarters of the Party of Aboubacar Toumba Diakité, currently incarcerated in the central prison of Coronthie, will be inaugurated this Saturday, September 21, 2024 in the upper suburbs of Conakry, more precisely in the Béhanzin district near Billy Ecole. This announcement raises questions about the legitimacy and legality of the political activity of a man convicted of serious crimes.
In the Republic of Guinea, the Constitution guarantees every citizen aged 18 and over the right to engage in political activity, provided that they are not under sentence of imprisonment. Aboubacar Toumba Diakité, former aide-de-camp to Captain Moussa Dadis Camara and head of the Presidential Guard during the September 28, 2009 massacre in Conakry, faces significant restrictions following his ten-year prison sentence.
The 2009 massacre, in which more than 156 people died and many women suffered sexual violence, has been described as a crime against humanity. Human rights organizations have named Toumba Diakité as one of the main perpetrators. Despite his denials at trial, the seriousness of the charges against him raises ethical concerns about his return to politics.
Guinean law also stipulates that associations advocating violence or discrimination are prohibited, further complicating Toumba Diakité’s situation. The legitimacy of his party is thus called into question in a context where the rules of security and stability are paramount.
To regain his civil rights, Toumba Diakité must go through a rehabilitation process. This requires his lawyers to submit a request to the court that sentenced him, proving his social reintegration and good conduct. This process can take several years and requires a hearing where the defense will have to demonstrate the change in their client.
In the meantime, Toumba Diakité must adopt a respectful attitude towards the victims of the massacre, acknowledging the suffering caused by his actions. This gesture of contrition could play a crucial role in his quest for rehabilitation.
The inauguration of his party, while he is still under sentence, could be seen as a challenge to the authority of the state and the rights of victims. As Guinea finds itself at a turning point in its political history, it is essential to remain vigilant about the implications of such an act for justice and peace in the country.
YOUR Aboubacar
Lawyer-journalist