The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly began on September 22 in New York, United States. Cellou Dalein Diallo, a prominent opponent of President Mamadi Doumbouya, was scheduled to participate in high-level meetings on the sidelines of the event. However, he was unable to attend due to the revocation of his passport by the Conakry authorities. According to a statement released on September 21 by the dissolved opposition party, UFDG, Diallo's ordinary passport contained visas for several European and North American countries, including the United States.
Cellou Dalein Diallo was set to travel from Abidjan to New York, where President Mamadi Doumbouya was already in attendance since September 21. After completing all formalities and receiving his boarding pass, the Ethiopian Airlines company informed him at the last minute that the US authorities had notified them that the passport had been revoked by the issuing authorities. This development prevented Diallo from boarding the flight.
The dissolved UFDG party has expressed outrage over the revocation of Diallo's passport, denouncing a "violation of the elementary rights of its president" and a "derivation" of the Conakry regime. The party's statement highlighted that Diallo had been living in exile since April 2022, following the demolition of his Dixinn-Port home on March 26, 2022.
Cellou Dalein Diallo did not participate in the presidential election on December 28, 2025, after being removed from the electoral register. The Guinean government had not reacted to the UFDG's statement at the time of publication. According to the French Press Agency, the Guinean authorities had also not commented on the matter as of Monday evening, September 21.
The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of opposition figures in Guinea. Cellou Dalein Diallo's inability to attend the UN General Assembly has sparked criticism of the government's handling of the situation. The UFDG party's dissolution in March 2025 has also been seen as a significant development in the country's politics.
The situation remains tense in Guinea, with the opposition continuing to face challenges. Cellou Dalein Diallo's case has drawn international attention, with many questioning the government's motives for revoking his passport. The incident has also raised concerns about the country's commitment to democratic principles and human rights.
Key points
- The Guinean government's revocation of Cellou Dalein Diallo's passport prevented him from attending the UN General Assembly in New York.
- The dissolved UFDG party has denounced the move as a "violation of the elementary rights of its president" and a "derivation" of the Conakry regime.
- Cellou Dalein Diallo has been living in exile since April 2022, following the demolition of his home in Dixinn-Port.
