Guinea leaders barred from travel

Conte won an overwhelming victory in the December vote

Two opposition leaders in Guinea say they have been barred from travelling abroad amid a government crackdown on political opponents.

Former Prime Minister Sidya Toure and Ba Mamadou of the Union of Democratic Forces in Guinea (UFDG) were barred from flying to Senegal.

Mr Toure told the BBC he plans to take legal action against the government.

Senior officials of Mr Toure's party have been arrested for allegedly plotting a coup.

President Lansana Conte, 69, who seized power in a coup in 1984, won a third term with more than 90% of the vote in December's presidential polls which were boycotted by the opposition.

'Sham democracy'

"I was very surprised by the action of the government officials, we just had a meeting in the morning with officials of the internal affairs as a step to create room for dialogue but now they have stopped us from travelling," Mr Toure told the BBC Focus on Africa programme.

The Union of Republican Forces (UFR) leader said no explanation has been given for the government action.

Mr Toure and his counterpart were travelling to Dakar for private business.

The International Federation of Human Rights Leagues (FIDH) has branded the government in Guinea as a sham democracy, denouncing widespread rights abuses in the country.

The human rights group criticised the systematic repression of opposition parties, barriers to freedom of expression, a culture of impunity and discrimination against women.