Teen jailed for exam cheating in Guinea dies after sickle cell complications, father says

What the report says

BBC Africa reports that Mamadou Djouma Bah, a 17-year-old student in Guinea, has died after being jailed over alleged cheating during the country’s national school-leaving baccalaureate exam. According to the BBC, Bah was accused of using a mobile phone during the exam on 15 July and was arrested along with other students suspected of exam fraud. Two days later, he was convicted and given a six-month prison sentence, with five months suspended.

Bah, who had sickle cell disease, was serving the remaining month in a prison in Kindia, about 137km north-east of Conakry, when his condition worsened. The prosecutor said he was moved to hospital and later died while under medical care. His father, Mamadou Saliou Bah, told the BBC he believes the authorities bear responsibility, saying his son did not receive adequate treatment while detained. He said the teenager struggled to breathe during a hospital visit and died after being discharged home, according to officials cited by the BBC.

Guinea’s Education Minister Alpha Bacar Barry expressed sadness and offered condolences to the family. Human rights groups are calling for an independent inquiry into the circumstances of Bah’s death and the handling of cases against other detained students. Students also demonstrated on Wednesday to demand the release of classmates arrested over alleged exam misconduct.

Sickle cell disease is a lifelong inherited condition, common among people of African descent, that can cause severe pain, anaemia and heightened vulnerability to infections. The case has drawn attention to the treatment of minors and medically vulnerable detainees, as well as Guinea’s response to exam fraud allegations.