Conakry, Guinea – Witnesses reported heavy bursts of automatic gunfire near the central prison in Kaloum, Conakry’s administrative centre, early Tuesday morning. The district is home to the presidential palace and key government offices.
Witness Accounts
Residents described scenes of panic as gunfire erupted shortly before 9:00 am local time, lasting for more than half an hour.
“I heard the sound of vehicles speeding by, I rushed to the window and heard automatic gunfire,” said Thierno Balde, an accountant working in the neighbourhood.
Another witness, Abdouramane Doukoure, a retired civil servant, recalled:
“I was heading past the prison in a car when I heard the gunshots. Since there was a traffic jam, we all rushed in different directions to escape.”
Security Response
By late morning, police officers and special forces had blocked access to the road leading to the prison, according to an AFP journalist at the scene. An armoured vehicle belonging to the special forces was positioned outside the facility.
Residents living near the prison reported hearing gunfire inside the compound, though calm appeared to return later in the day.
“As we speak, things have calmed down. But we don’t know for how long,” one resident said.
Context
Kaloum, the administrative heart of Conakry, has been a focal point of political and security tensions in recent years. The incident underscores ongoing instability in Guinea, where the military junta has faced criticism over governance and security challenges.
Conclusion
While calm has reportedly returned to the area, the situation remains tense. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the cause of the gunfire or whether it was linked to unrest inside the prison.
