Nicolas Négoce

Seventeen-year-old Guinean student Mamadou Djouma Bah died after being detained for allegedly using a phone during a national school-leaving exam. His father says inadequate medical care in prison contributed to the death and is calling for an investigation. Officials said the teenager was treated in hospital before being discharged, while human rights groups and students have urged an independent inquiry and the release of other detained students.

Seventeen-year-old Mamadou Djouma Bah, who had sickle cell disease, died after being arrested and sentenced to prison for allegedly using a phone during Guinea’s national school-leaving examination. His health deteriorated in detention, and although he was transferred to hospital and later discharged, he died at home. His father says he received inadequate medical care and is calling for an investigation, while human rights organisations have urged an independent inquiry into his death and the prosecution and detention of other students. Guinea’s education minister expressed condolences, and students have protested the detentions.