The recent abduction of 75-year-old Adama Keita, the father of Guinean journalist Mamoudou Babila Keita, has sparked concern among international press freedom advocates. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is urging Guinean authorities to facilitate Adama Keita’s safe return. The elder Keita was abducted on September 29, 2025, in Nzérékoré, following his son Babila’s departure from the country after facing a kidnapping attempt last year.
In a statement, CPJ’s Francophone Africa representative expressed concern that Adama Keita’s abduction may be an act of retaliation against his son’s journalistic activities. Mamoudou Babila Keita has accused the authorities of leveraging this incident as a pressure tactic to force his return. Babila, known for his critical views, notably participated in a public debate addressing the military transition in Guinea before fleeing the country in July 2024.
Several NGOs, including Forces-Vives, have condemned the abduction, framing it as an intimidation tactic aimed at stifling freedom of expression. This development reflects a troubling trend in West Africa, where media censorship is reportedly on the rise amid the ascendancy of military regimes since 2021. Instances like this are often aligned with efforts to suppress dissent by targeting journalists and activists.
The city’s prosecutor has responded by launching an investigation into the kidnapping, seeking to uncover the motives behind this incident. The call for Adama Keita’s release highlights ongoing struggles for press freedom and underscores the need for legal frameworks that protect journalistic integrity across the region.