Former Guinean Prime Minister Sidya Touré, who passed away on September 26, 2026, in Paris at the age of 80, was laid to rest in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, on October 8, 2026. His family had chosen to bury him in Abidjan, where he had a residence and had served as a highly respected government official. This decision came after his home in Conakry, Guinea, was seized by the military authorities, a fate shared with his fellow opposition leader and former Prime Minister Cellou Dalein Diallo.
The body of Sidya Touré arrived in Abidjan on October 2, 2026, and was received at his residence in the 2 Plateaux Vallon neighborhood. Since then, numerous personalities and anonymous individuals have paid their respects to him. From October 4 to 6, delegations from various institutions, former classmates, university friends, family members, and close friends visited him in a solemn atmosphere. These visitors, dressed in formal attire, white robes, or simple city wear, came to pay their last respects to the former Prime Minister.
The outpouring of tributes continued with many visitors paying their respects at his residence. Sidya Touré's commitment to public service and his fight for human rights and democracy were remembered by those who visited him. His association with Cellou Dalein Diallo, the leader of the Union des Forces démocratiques de Guinée (UFDG), was particularly noted, as both men had been in exile in Côte d'Ivoire for several years, fighting for the rights of the Guinean people.
Cellou Dalein Diallo described Sidya Touré as a lifelong companion, a fighter for freedom, and a defender of human rights. He remembered Touré's constant quest for the betterment of the Guinean people. These values are also attributed to Diallo, who has been in exile in Côte d'Ivoire for at least five years. Both men have been involved in struggles for the defense of the Constitution, the liberation of the Guinean people from the third term of Professor Alpha Condé, and the contestation of the iron-fisted rule of General Mamady Doumbouya.
The Guinean community, particularly those affiliated with the UFDG, mobilized around their leader to pay their respects to Sidya Touré. The party's militants were among those who visited Touré's residence to honor his memory. Plans were made for ceremonies to be held on October 11, 2026, at the Grande mosquée de la Riviera Golf, marking the 3rd, 7th, and 40th days after his passing.
The question remains as to what actions the international community will take to assist Guineans in their quest for a better life. Sidya Touré's death in exile and his burial far from his homeland and ancestors have sparked reflections on the need for Guinean authorities to facilitate the return of all citizens who have been forced into exile.
As Sidya Touré was laid to rest in Abidjan, the international community was urged to support the Guinean people's pursuit of justice and a better future. The memory of Sidya Touré serves as a reminder of the struggles faced by many Guineans, and his legacy is expected to continue inspiring efforts towards a more just and equitable society in Guinea.
Key points
- Sidya Touré was buried in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, on October 8, 2026.
- The former Prime Minister had been in exile in Côte d'Ivoire for several years.
- Sidya Touré's legacy continues to inspire efforts towards democracy and human rights in Guinea.
