Heavy security measures have been implemented in Guinea’s capital, Conakry, following reports of sustained gunfire near the city’s central prison on . The cause of the shooting remains unclear, prompting a lockdown and the deployment of security forces to the Kaloum administrative district, where the presidential palace is also located.
Witnesses described hearing automatic gunfire beginning shortly before local time, lasting for more than half an hour. “I heard the sound of vehicles speeding by. I rushed to the window and heard automatic gunfire,” recounted Thierno Balde, an accountant working in the vicinity, echoing accounts from other residents. The rapid succession of shots sparked panic, with individuals seeking shelter amidst a traffic jam caused by the unfolding situation.
Security forces, including police officers and special forces units, initially blocked access to roads leading to the Maison Centrale de Conakry, as the central prison is known. While routes were later reopened, a significant security presence remained, with at least three armoured vehicles belonging to the special forces positioned in front of the facility. Three ambulances were also observed departing the prison, though the nature of any medical emergencies was not immediately confirmed.
Abdouramane Doukoure, a retired civil servant, described a chaotic scene while travelling near the prison. “I heard the gunshots. Since there was a traffic jam, we all rushed in different directions to escape,” he stated. Another resident living adjacent to the prison reported hearing gunfire originating from within the facility itself, but noted that the situation had seemingly calmed by late Tuesday morning. “As we speak, things have calmed down,” the resident said, adding a note of uncertainty: “But we don’t know for how long.”
The Conakry central prison, built during the colonial period, has a documented history of overcrowding and challenging conditions. Originally designed to accommodate 300 inmates, reports from indicated a population nearing 2,000, according to Amnesty International. A 2023 report by the US Department of State further described the prison as overcrowded. The facility is divided into three main sections: one for convicted prisoners, one for those awaiting trial, and a central hall.
This is not the first instance of security breaches at the Maison Centrale de Conakry. In , the prison was the site of a dramatic jailbreak, during which armed commandos briefly freed former military ruler Moussa Dadis Camara, who was being detained in connection with the brutal suppression of Guinean protests. Nine people were killed during that incident.
The current unrest unfolds under the leadership of Mamady Doumbouya, who assumed power in a coup. Following the coup, the National Committee of Reconciliation and Development released 79 political prisoners held at the Conakry central prison. Doumbouya’s rule has been characterized as authoritarian, raising concerns about political stability and human rights within the West African nation.
The timing of the gunfire and the lack of immediate official explanation have fueled speculation. Guinea’s political landscape remains fragile, and any disruption to security in the capital carries the potential for wider unrest. The deployment of armoured vehicles and the heightened security presence underscore the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the situation.
While the immediate cause of the gunfire remains unknown, the incident highlights the ongoing security challenges facing Guinea and the vulnerability of key institutions like the Conakry central prison. The lack of transparency surrounding the event is likely to exacerbate anxieties among the population and raise questions about the stability of Doumbouya’s government. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
