6 April 2006

Alert

Authorities suspend sales of "Jeune Afrique" magazine for articles criticising president


Incident details

Cheick Yerim Seck

magazine(s)

suspended
(MFWA/IFEX) - The Guinean authorities on 30 March 2006 suspended the sale of "Jeune Afrique", a Paris-based weekly independent magazine, for publishing articles on President Lansana Conte that allegedly could "undermine the sovereignty of the country".

According to an MFWA Guinean source, the authorities suspended the circulation of the 26 March to 1 April 2006 edition of "Jeune Afrique", which had on its front page a photograph of Conte with the caption "Guinea: End of reign, A seriously ill President, an abandoned regime; opposition organizes", suggesting the end of Conte's administration.

The source disclosed that Cheick Yerim Seck, the legal correspondent for "Jeune Afrique" in Conakry, in a five-page series of articles, said the illness of Conte and his refusal to leave power could lead to political and social crises. The articles also stated that Conte is physically and morally unable to continue ruling. According to the authorities, this amounted to fomenting disaffection that could undermine state sovereignty.

Meanwhile, the Department of Liberties of the Ministry of the Interior, which grants licenses for the distribution of foreign publications, has declined to comment on the issue.



Source:

Media Foundation for West Africa
PO Box LG 730
30 Duade Street, Kokomlemle
Legon, Accra
Ghana
alerts (@) mediafound.org
Phone: +233 302 242470
Fax: +233 302 221084
 

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Guinea

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