The outgoing president of the Guinean Olympic Committee, Sérgio Mané, received a letter from ACNOA, encouraging the parties to work together so that the elections, interrupted by the Government on July 05, can take place as quickly as possible.

By order of the authorities, a contingent of the Public Order Police (POP) entered the premises of the Guinean Olympic Committee, forcing the interruption of the electoral act that was supposed to pit Eugénio de Oliveira Lopes, secretary general of the outgoing board against Fernando Arlete, a former Olympic athlete.

“ We have been informed of a worrying situation at your National Olympic Committee following the interruption of your General Assembly election, which was scheduled for July 05, 2025, by decision of the government authorities ,” reads the ACNOA statement.

In the document addressed to Sergio Mané, the African Olympic organization considers it " regrettable and a clear interference by the authorities, which is contrary to the Olympic Charter and the fundamental principle of the Olympic Movement, which is based on autonomy ."

Sources linked to the process said that since July 05, POP members have remained at the Guinean Olympic Committee's facilities.

ACNOA reports that it is aware of ongoing “ positive and constructive talks ” between the authorities in order to “ quickly rectify ” the situation, but encourages the Guinean Olympic Committee to “ do everything ” to ensure that the quadrennial elections take place in the near future, “ without any kind of interference ”.

In the note, ACNOA insistently asked the Guinean Olympic Committee to allow all federations to participate in the electoral general assembly, provided they have been recognized by the respective international federations of the sport.

Fourteen federations must participate in the elections, namely athletics, handball, basketball, wrestling, canoeing, judo, tennis, volleyball, table tennis, cycling, water sports, football, taekwondo and winter sports.

Sources linked to the electoral process explained that one of the parties complained to the Government about the possibility of some federations, whose boards have expired, or whose modalities are not practiced in the country, being able to participate in the electoral process, which they consider illegal.

Picture: © 2020 Franck Robichon