The Lynx-Lance press group, a key independent media outlet in Guinea, has suffered two deliberate attacks on its printing facilities in Koloma Soloprimo, Ratoma, leaving its operations paralysed.
On the night of Saturday, October 18, 2025, just before 10 p.m., unidentified individuals took advantage of a heavy rainstorm to climb over the facility’s perimeter wall and force open the access door. Once inside, they deliberately damaged the two functioning printing machines, leaving the press unable to operate. The intruders removed essential parts, including the main press compressor, copper rollers, and screws, and even prepared containers to carry dismantled components. According to employees, the sabotage appeared highly targeted, aimed at halting the press rather than opportunistic theft.
This followed a previous attack on the night of October 7–8, 2025, when vandals dismantled key parts of the press’s 100 KVA generator, critical for compensating Guinea’s frequent power outages, rendering it inoperable. Combined, these two incidents have completely halted production, threatening the regular publication of Lynx and La Lance, the group’s satirical newspapers.
Mamadou Siré Diallo, editor-in-chief of Lynx-Lance, said the attacks were deeply disturbing but affirmed the team’s commitment to continue publishing. “Despite these setbacks, we are finalising La Lance for Wednesday and will continue to publish Lynx every Monday,” he said. Employee Abdourahmane Diallo described the October 18 intrusion as clearly premeditated, noting that the intruders knew exactly which machines were vital for the press.
Press freedom organisations have condemned the attacks as a direct threat to independent journalism in Guinea. The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) is concerned over the repeated sabotage and urges Guinean authorities to carry out a thorough investigation, hold the perpetrators accountable, and ensure the protection of independent media.
