The Association guinéenne des éditeurs de la presse indépendante Renouveau (AGEPI-R) held its elective congress on September 24, 2026, at the Haute Autorité de la Communication (HAC) in Guinea. The congress resulted in the election of Aboubacar M'Mah Soumah, from the newspaper Le Renard, as the new president of AGEPI-R. This development marks a significant change in the leadership of the association, which represents independent press editors in Guinea. The election process was overseen by an official from the HAC.
According to Hassan Kaba, the former president of AGEPI-R, the election was conducted in a transparent manner, in accordance with the association's statutes and under the supervision of a court bailiff. This ensured the integrity and credibility of the electoral process. The new president, Aboubacar M'Mah Soumah, has pledged to prioritize unity and inclusiveness during his tenure. He emphasized that his election is not a personal victory but a responsibility to serve the association and its members.
In his reaction to his election, Aboubacar M'Mah Soumah stated that his mandate would focus on rallying the members of the association. He expressed his commitment to listening to the concerns of the members and addressing the existing misunderstandings that have affected the association. Soumah's election is seen as a positive step towards revitalizing AGEPI-R and promoting a more harmonious relationship among its members. The new leadership aims to strengthen the association and enhance its role in the Guinean media landscape.
The newly elected bureau of AGEPI-R comprises several members, including Aboubacar M'Mah Soumah as president, Amadou Mouctar Diallo (Le Défi) as vice-president, and Daouda Yansané (Affiches guinéennes) as secretary general. Other members include Alseny Camara (Indexeur) as treasurer general, Mamadou Misbaou Diallo (Express Info) as secretary for development and external affairs, and Cherif Djiba Sanoh (Standard) as secretary for communication. The complete list of members was made public during the congress.
The president of the HAC, Boubacar Yacine Diallo, attended the ceremony and addressed the gathering. He mentioned that the subvention provided to the press in the form of direct financial support might be reevaluated. Instead, the HAC plans to focus on providing support through training and equipment to help press enterprises develop their capacities. This shift in strategy aims to promote sustainability and professionalism in the Guinean media sector.
Boubacar Yacine Diallo also encouraged media professionals to strengthen their solidarity and work together to overcome challenges. He recalled a past initiative where the HAC helped secure computers for newspapers that lacked them, with the assistance of foreign partners. The HAC's support and guidance are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of the Guinean media landscape.
The election of Aboubacar M'Mah Soumah as the president of AGEPI-R and the composition of the new bureau mark a new chapter for the association. The priorities set by the new leadership, including unity, inclusiveness, and responsiveness to members' needs, are expected to guide the association's activities in the coming period. The HAC's commitment to supporting the media sector through capacity-building initiatives and equipment is also seen as a positive development.
Key points
- Aboubacar M'Mah Soumah elected as president of AGEPI-R
- New leadership aims to prioritize unity and responsiveness to members' needs
- HAC to focus on providing support through training and equipment to media enterprises
