Seydouba Soumah, a resident of Conakry, Guinea, has been in detention for three weeks for a conversation he had in a taxi. The prosecutor's office of Kaloum has requested a one-year prison sentence for him. Soumah and his co-defendant, Ibrahima Camara, appeared before the Kaloum court on September 23, 2026, for alleged "attempts to disturb public order." The prosecutor, Issouf Fofana, emphasized that the case has no political connotations.
According to the prosecutor, Soumah made remarks that directly impact national security during a conversation with a taxi driver. The driver, who is currently at large, claimed to have a contact within the autonomous airborne troops battalion (BATA). The driver stated that this contact informed him of a potential bloody confrontation in Guinea between October and November. Soumah allegedly responded by confirming he had heard similar information and was seeking to send 20 million francs to his family in Côte d'Ivoire.
The prosecutor's office asserts that Soumah's comments demonstrate his conviction that a violent incident would occur and that he was preparing for it. This, they argue, indicates a level of planning. As a result, the prosecutor has requested a one-year prison sentence for Soumah. In contrast, Ibrahima Camara, the second defendant, was not involved in the conversation and has been released from the case due to lack of evidence.
The incident occurred in Lansanayah Barrage, a suburb of Conakry, when a plainclothes gendarme in the taxi alerted his colleagues to apprehend Soumah and the driver. The driver managed to escape, while Soumah and Camara were detained. The court is expected to deliver its verdict on September 30, 2026. Soumah remains in preventive detention, while Camara has been released.
The prosecutor, Issouf Fofana, stressed that the case against Soumah is based on his alleged attempt to disturb public order. Fofana's requisition highlights the seriousness with which the authorities view Soumah's comments. The Guinean justice system will now determine Soumah's fate.
Soumah's detention has sparked concern among his family and friends. His lawyer has not publicly commented on the case. The incident has raised questions about freedom of speech and the limits of public discussion in Guinea.
The case against Seydouba Soumah will continue on September 30, 2026, when the court delivers its verdict. If convicted, Soumah will face a one-year prison sentence. The outcome of the case will be closely watched by human rights groups and the general public in Guinea.
Key points
- The Guinean prosecutor's office has requested a one-year prison sentence for Seydouba Soumah.
- Soumah's comments were made in a taxi conversation that authorities claim threaten national security.
- The court is expected to deliver its verdict on September 30, 2026.
