Ahmed Sékou Traoré, the former president of the special delegation of Ratoma, appeared before the Guinean Court of Repression of Economic and Financial Infractions (CRIEF) on November 2, 2026. He is accused, along with former commune receiver Mohamed Camara, of embezzling public funds amounting to 32 billion francs guinéens (GNF). Traoré rejected the accusations, claiming he was unaware of them until he was summoned to the police. He stated that his income ranged from 5 to 10 million francs guinéens as PDS of Ratoma and 5 million francs guinéens monthly as president-director of Mérite International pour la jeunesse.
Traoré explained that he acquired a plot of land in Yattaya for 75 million francs guinéens and claimed not to have any bank accounts, receiving his allowances in cash. The court then inquired about the commune's financial resources, particularly the financial support received in 2024. Traoré clarified that it was not a subsidy but a monthly financial support from the government, the exact amount of which he was unsure. For the 2025 exercise, he stated that the Agence nationale de financement des collectivités (ANAFIC) released 14 billion francs guinéens, which funded several projects.
When asked to provide details on the commune's financial management, Traoré struggled to recall the figures. After consulting his documents, he provided the court with revenue figures for 2024 and 2025, stating that revenue from taxes in 2024 was 5 billion 196 million 994 thousand 101 francs guinéens and 584 million 634 thousand francs guinéens in 2025. This significant difference sparked a question from the special prosecutor, who asked Traoré to explain the drastic decrease.
Traoré attributed the decrease to the loss of several neighborhoods in the commune. The defense argued that the requested figures were already in the case files, while the special prosecutor countered that Traoré had sufficient time to prepare his defense. The court also inquired about the balance available in the commune's coffers when Traoré left office. He claimed to have left over 800 million francs guinéens but could not provide an exact figure.
The hearing continued with questions from the special prosecutor on various aspects of Traoré's management of the Ratoma commune. In addition to embezzlement, Traoré and Camara are also accused of corruption of public agents, forgery, and illicit enrichment. The case was adjourned to November 16, 2026, for further debates.
During the hearing, Traoré provided insight into his financial situation, stating that his monthly salary as president-director of Mérite International pour la jeunesse was 5 million francs guinéens. He also mentioned an activity that generated additional income but did not specify it.
The case against Traoré and Camara involves multiple charges, including embezzlement of public funds, corruption, forgery, and illicit enrichment. The court will continue to hear the case on November 16, 2026.
Key points
- - Ahmed Sékou Traoré faces accusations of embezzling 32 billion francs guinéens from the Ratoma commune. - Traoré struggled to justify the financial management of the commune during his tenure. - The case has been adjourned to November 16, 2026, for further debates.
