Gambiaj.com – (Conakry, Guinea) – Colonel Claude Pivi, a central figure in the trial following the September 28, 2009, coup attempt in Guinea, passed away on Tuesday, January 6, at the military hospital in Conakry. The former minister, who had been sentenced to life imprisonment and recently returned to custody after a prolonged period on the run, succumbed to complications from multiple health conditions.
The Attorney General’s office confirmed the news in an official statement. Claude Pivi had been held at Coyah Prison since his arrest on September 19, 2024. Although under regular medical supervision in detention, a failure to adhere to prescribed treatment reportedly caused severe hypoglycemia on January 4.
He was rushed to intensive care at the Almamy Samory Touré Military Hospital, where his attending physician diagnosed his death as resulting from a hypoglycemic coma.
Pivi had been sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 25 years, for his command responsibility in the tragic events of September 28, 2009, at the Conakry stadium—events that were classified as crimes against humanity.
In order to ensure full transparency regarding the circumstances of his death, judicial authorities acted promptly. At the request of the Public Prosecutor at the Court of First Instance of Coyah (No. 011/P/PR/CYH/2026), a forensic medical examination is currently underway to formally confirm the cause of death.
Following the announcement, Pivi’s lawyer, Maître Elhadj Fodé Kaba Chérif, paid tribute to his client, describing him as a man of “exceptional integrity.”
“Throughout this extremely difficult and painful period, you maintained your pride as a soldier. You did not accuse anyone and remained loyal and dignified. A true soldier and great warrior,” Maître Chérif said, recalling Pivi’s steadfastness during his trials.
The lawyer also highlighted Pivi’s long service to Guinea under multiple presidents, who reportedly considered him “a man of great value.” He expressed his frustration at the outcome, noting, “In the end, your reward was nothing but humiliation built on nothing.”
Addressing the 2023 prison escape that had drawn significant attention, Maître Chérif emphasized that Pivi was not responsible.
“It was never an escape. He was caught in an operation orchestrated from outside, carried out by armed men with whom he had no prior connection,” he said, defending the former officer’s honesty and integrity.
Concluding his tribute, the lawyer reflected on his last conversations with Pivi: “I remember a man of extraordinary candor. Finally, you will find peace. Rest in peace, soldier—honest, dignified, and loyal.”
Colonel Pivi’s death marks the end of a controversial chapter in Guinea’s recent political and judicial history, leaving behind a complex legacy intertwined with the country’s turbulent past.
