The United States on Friday sanctioned former Guinean President Alpha Condé for his connection to «serious human rights abuses,» the culmination of a years-long investigation and prosecution, according to a statement issued by the U.S. Treasury Department.
The U.S. has assured that this designation has no connection with the transition process currently underway in the African country, but «underscores the commitment (of the United States) to support human rights worldwide» since their respect is at the «core» of its foreign policy.
The statement details that during Condé’s presidency, security forces committed violent acts against opposition supporters from the 2020 constitutional referendum campaign until after the 2020 presidential election.
«Reports indicate that in 2020 the government arbitrarily arrested and detained opposition members. Around the October 2020 presidential election in Guinea, security forces used excessive force to disperse opposition supporters,» the brief states.
In addition, the Department notes that live bullets were fired into the crowd gathered in support of the opposition to the former president, resulting in the death of one minor and the injury of another while fleeing from security forces. They also reportedly killed more than a dozen people at point-blank range who did not pose «an immediate danger to the security forces».
This Friday, the United States has sanctioned a total of 40 people, coinciding with the anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
«Over the past year, the Treasury Department has made fighting corruption and serious human rights abuses a top priority,» said Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen.
