Guinea: West African NGOs call for independent investigation after six bodies found in Forécariah

The discovery of six bodies in a mass grave in Forécariah has prompted calls for an independent investigation from twenty West African civil society organisations. The bodies, found on 24 August, had their hands tied and their eyes covered.

The signatory organisations are calling for a process that is both impartial and transparent. They include Tournons la page Togo, Y en a marre in Senegal and Africtivistes.

Mobilisation to identify the victims

The TLP-Guinea coalition has approached the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as the United States and French embassies and the European Union delegation in Guinea. It is seeking technical and judicial support to help identify the victims.

Alioune Tine, the coalition's spokesperson and a human rights defender, voiced concerns that referring the matter to the prosecutor may not lead to progress. The associations also say they are considering referring the matter to the Economic Community of West African States and the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights of the African Union.

Authorities urge patience while investigations continue

Meeting in an extraordinary session on 29 August under the chairmanship of Ibrahima Kalil, Guinea's Deputy Minister of National Defence, the Defence and Security Commission said it was too early to draw definitive conclusions. It said the circumstances surrounding the discovery would be clarified.

The commission also called for unverified information not to be circulated, arguing that it could hinder the investigation. The Forécariah prosecutor's office had not yet commented.

A previous case reported in the region

Another grave was reported in the same region in October 2025. The latest discovery has strengthened calls from the organisations for a process capable of establishing the victims' identities and the circumstances of the incident.