The relations between Guinea and Belgium have been tense since the detention of the former Guinean ambassador to Brussels, Aissatou Doukoury, on June 16, 2025, following accusations of “mistreatment” and “illegal detention” of a 16-year-old Belgian girl who was residing with her.

Since then, Doukoury has remained in custody in a Belgian prison, in a case that has sparked wide legal and diplomatic controversy.

On June 25, Guinean Foreign Minister Morissanda Kouyaté expressed his country’s displeasure over the detention of the former diplomat, affirming that she still enjoys full immunity despite the end of her duties in November 2024, based on the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The minister reiterated this position on August 25 during his official visit to Belgium, where he met Belgian officials to discuss the case.

Kouyaté, who also serves as Minister of Guineans Abroad and African Integration, told the Guinean national television that “President Mamady Doumbouya ordered the follow-up of the case of former ambassador Aissatou Doukoury as it concerns all Guineans,” emphasizing that it is a national matter before being a judicial one.

Kouyaté stressed the need for diplomacy to act alongside the judiciary and that Doukoury enjoys full immunity, warning that any misinterpretation of her legal status could cause significant harm, and confirming his commitment to ensuring respect for national laws and international conventions in handling the case.

However, Belgian authorities reject this interpretation. Pierre Steverlynck, spokesperson for the Belgian Foreign Ministry, explained in July that Doukoury lost her diplomatic immunity at the end of her duties, her special residence permit was canceled, and only “functional immunity” applies to her, which does not cover her private life and therefore does not apply to this case.

Doukoury, who has been detained for more than two months, is awaiting a decision from the Belgian Council Chamber regarding the continuation of her detention or her release.

In this context, her lawyer Jean-Pierre said he is confident she will be released soon “unless new elements or unexpected obstacles arise,” affirming that the current data favors his client.

This case highlights the legal issues related to defining the scope of diplomatic immunity after official duties end, and the overlap between judicial and diplomatic paths in politically sensitive cases.