Africa Freedom Prize

Guinean opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo Honoured with Africa Freedom Prize

Africa Freedom Speech and Award.

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation's Africa Freedom Speech and Award honours outstanding personalities who provide decisive impulses for the development of liberal civil society in Africa. The Foundation partners with iconic personalities who are leading the way on the narrative regarding the future of the continent through their advocacy. Previous awardees include Mmusi Maimane, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (known by his stage name Bobi Wine) Gareth Cliff, Hakainde Hichilema and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

In 2022, we celebrate Guinean opposition leader, Cellou Dalein Diallo. Cellou Dalein Diallo is the former Prime Minister of Guinea who currently leads the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG), an opposition political party in Guinea.

He has dedicated his political life to the peaceful struggle against the autocratic rule and the mismanagement that have dominated Guinea for a long time. Organising the opposition's voice against the multiple military take overs in Guinea, he has often been on the receiving end of the brutality of  state supported violence under the different military juntas. The new Guinean military junta of 2021 shows no ambition to leave the presidential palace. Restrictions against political parties are enforced and their leaders are continuously harassed.

Despite the challenges of stolen elections and a fragile political environment, Cellou Dalein Diallo’s struggle for democracy continues. He continues to advocate for the re-establishment of a legitimate government as well as free and fair elections. For his efforts, he receives continuous support from liberals all around the world. We reflect on his journey and experiences of Guinea and the fight for freedom, a struggle for many across the African continent.