US sanctions former Guinea president Alpha Condé

Condé joins more than 40 other individuals being sanctioned yesterday, coinciding with International Human Rights Day.

WASHINGTON, United States - The United States' department of Treasury has sanctioned former president Alpha Condé for his connection to serious human rights abuses in Guinea.

This designation by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is the culmination of a thorough, multi-year investigation and process.  Neither this designation nor the timing of its announcement is related to Guinea’s ongoing transition to democracy. 

Promoting respect for human rights is at the center of US foreign policy, and this designation underscores our commitment to support human rights globally.

During Condé’s presidency, security forces engaged in violence against opposition supporters leading up to a March 2020 constitutional referendum and continuing through and after the 2020 Guinean presidential election.  In early 2020, Condé ordered ministers to create a police unit to respond to anti-Condé protestors, with violence if necessary.

US investigations reveal that in 2020 the government arbitrarily arrested and detained opposition members.  Around the October 2020 Guinean presidential election, security forces used excessive force to disperse opposition supporters.

Among other incidents, security forces reportedly fired live bullets into crowds that had gathered to celebrate the announcement of Condé’s opposition, shooting two minors, killing one, and shooting the other in the back as he ran from the security forces.

After the October 2020 election, security forces reportedly killed over a dozen individuals, including individuals killed at close range who presented no immediate danger to the security forces.

Alpha Condé is therefore being designated pursuant to E.O. 13818 for being a foreign person who is or has been a leader or official of an entity, including any government entity, that has engaged in, or whose members have engaged in, serious human rights abuses relating to his tenure.  

Condé joins more than 40 other individuals being sanctioned yesterday, coinciding with International Human Rights Day and International Anti-Corruption Day. 

“Over the past year, Treasury has made combatting corruption and serious human rights abuse a top priority,” said Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen. The United States will continue to promote accountability for human rights abusers and corrupt actors across the world.

GAROWE ONLINE