Financial Crime World

Guinea Ex-Ministers Imprisoned for Embezzlement and Corruption, Junta Vows to Combat Graft

Conakry, Guinea - A New Era of Accountability?

A former Guinean minister has been imprisoned and another placed under judicial supervision in Conakry for “embezzlement of public funds and corruption”, a special prosecutor’s office announced on Tuesday evening. Ismael Dioubate, the former budget minister under Alpha Conde (2010-2020), was placed under warrant in a Conakry prison, while Tibou Camara, the former minister of state and special adviser to the presidency during this period, was placed under judicial supervision.

The Charges Against Them

The two officials appeared Tuesday before the investigating chamber of the Court of Repression of Economic and Financial Offences (Crief) and are being prosecuted for “embezzlement of public funds, money laundering, corruption and complicity”, according to a statement signed by Aly Touré, special prosecutor of Crief.

In addition to Dioubate and Camara, three other former officials have also been charged with corruption-related offenses:

  • Eveline Folla Mansara, the former administrative and financial director of the Ministry of Technical Education and Vocational Training
  • Zenab Dramé, who headed this ministerial department under Conde
  • Another official whose name was not specified

The Junta’s Commitment to Fighting Corruption

The military junta has made fighting corruption one of its top priorities. Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, the head of the junta who became president, assured that there would be no “witch hunt” but that justice would be the country’s “compass”. The junta has already removed numerous executives from state services.

A New Era for Guinea?

The imprisonment of these former officials marks a significant turning point in Guinean history. Will this new era of accountability bring about much-needed change to the country? Only time will tell.