Ten years’ imprisonment sought against former head of Guinea’s Central Bank

Case background

On March 10, 2025, the prosecutor of the Court for the Repression of Economic and Financial Offences (Crief) in Guinea requested a ten-year prison sentence against Ibrahima Chérif Bah, former governor of the Central Bank of Guinea (1996-2004). He is charged with “embezzlement, illicit enrichment and money laundering”.

Charges brought against Ibrahima Chérif Bah

Since December 2024, Mr. Bah has been on trial in absentia in Conakry. He is accused of “disbursing without trace” some $10 million during his tenure at the head of the financial institution. Prosecutor Aly Touré has also requested that an international arrest warrant be issued, pointing out that the accused is absent from the country. According to those close to him, Mr. Bah is abroad for medical reasons.

Reactions and political implications

This judicial procedure is part of the fight against corruption undertaken by the Guinean authorities. However, the political climate remains tense. General Mamadi Doumbouya, president of Guinea’s transitional government, has given assurances that there will be no “witch-hunt”. However, the opposition is denouncing what it sees as political repression and the instrumentalization of the justice system to settle scores.

The fight against corruption in Guinea

Since coming to power, General Doumbouya has stepped up action against corruption and economic offences. The Crief, created to judge these offences, has become a key player in the repression process. However, criticisms are emerging concerning the independence of the judiciary and the balance of procedures.

Legal and political issues

This case illustrates the tensions between the government’s desire to moralize public management and accusations of judicial instrumentalization. Mr. Bah’s trial could become emblematic of the fight against corruption in Guinea, while fuelling debates on the fairness and transparency of judicial procedures.

Conclusion

The ten-year prison sentence imposed on the former governor of Guinea’s Central Bank highlights the challenges facing the country’s fight against corruption. As the government strives to clean up economic management, the issue of judicial impartiality remains crucial to guarantee the credibility of the ongoing process.