Former Guinea Defense Minister Sentenced for Corruption

Mohamed Diane, a former defence minister of Guinea, has been sentenced to five years in prison for corruption, embezzlement, illicit enrichment, and money laundering, along with a $58.5 million fine. The special court ordered the confiscation of his assets, including properties in Conakry and Kankan, due to their unexplained origins. Diane has been detained since May 2022, following a military junta's anti-corruption campaign that began after their coup in 2021. The junta, led by Gen Mamady Doumbouya, has targeted over 180 former officials, including ex-President Alpha Condé, amid accusations of suppressing dissent and eroding freedoms. Although initially welcomed, the junta's actions are now viewed by many as a crackdown on opposition figures. There has been little progress towards promised democratic elections, raising concerns about the junta's intentions for future governance.