Stories from Conakry · Guinea

The Maxi Railway in Guinea, built with Chinese participation, is described as the longest modern railway in the country for half a century. Local villagers are seen singing and dancing around the Maxi Railway as a train passes through the rainforest. The Chinese-built Maxi Railway is described as Guinea's longest modern railway in half a century.

UN experts issued a communiqué yesterday, stating that the silence of Guinean authorities fuels fears regarding an abduction that occurred last November in Conakry.

Exiled Guinean opposition figure known as General Saint-Quintoil reported the abduction of his son, Mohamed Kamara, and a friend. Amara Kamara has also denounced the abduction of his son.

The exiled opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo has denounced the abduction of Tierno Sadouba, a member of the UFDG federal bureau. Sadouba's family has not heard from him for ten days. The incident was reported by the Director General of Elections in Guinea. Tierno Saduba, a member of the UFDG federal bureau, has allegedly been abducted in Guinea. His family reported they have had no news of him for ten days. The abduction was denounced by exiled opposition figure Célou Dalindialo. The incident follows recent boycotts of the Guinea election by the Front For Democracy. Soudamara Kamara, known as General 5 Stars on social media, alleged that military personnel carried out the arrest. Saduba has been missing for 10 days, according to the report. The announcement comes as Guinea begins campaigning for legislative and local elections scheduled for May 31.

The Front for Democracy in Guinea is boycotting the upcoming legislative and local elections scheduled for May 31. Leader Abdullah Iyer alleged violations of the electoral code and restrictions used to eliminate candidates. The Director General of Elections responded by stating she is only applying the law. The election will determine 147 deputies and 342 mayors. Party leader Abdullah Yerro Baldea accused the Guinean electoral commission of violating the electoral code by implementing restrictions to eliminate candidates. The Director General of Elections, Kamara Juna Butour, has responded to these allegations.

The announcement marks the start of the electoral process for the nation's governing bodies. No specific dates for the voting period were provided in the report.

Abdelayirou Balde, leader of the Front Pour La Démocratie, announced the group is withdrawing from a financial commission in Guinea. Voters in Guinea are scheduled to elect 147 deputies and 342 mayors on May 31.

Eight representatives from the political group GK (Groupe de Concertation des Acteurs Politiques) were placed under detention following questioning by the prosecutor. The group had planned to organize a peaceful protest march for Saturday, May 2. The arrests occurred on Friday. Eight opposition representatives were placed under arrest warrants on Friday following questioning by the Republic's prosecutor. The charges against the detainees include armed gathering, insurrectionary movement, rebellion, and possession of war weapons. The National Commission on Human Rights may also undergo reorganization and reinforcement.

Guinean Minister of Trade and Industry, Lassana Fofana, stated that China's tariff measures provide economic and trade opportunities for African nations. The comments were made during a meeting regarding trade and industrial ministry representatives. China has removed tariffs on every country in Africa except Eswatini. The specific country excluded from the tariff reductions was not named in the report. Beijing maintains this stance because Eswatini maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan. The move affects trade relations across the African continent. The exclusion of Eswatini is due to the nation's maintenance of diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Journalists representing 63 individuals from 38 African countries have convened to discuss promoting an independent and free press.