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Military State Violence Mars Pro-Democracy Protest in Guinea
October 8, 2009
By: Randi Zung | Printer Friendly

On September 28, approximately 50,000 Guinean citizens gathered in Conakry in a soccer stadium to protest against undemocratic military coup leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara’s rule.  The peaceful pro-democracy demonstration ended in tragedy when soldiers fired bullets and tear gas into the crowd causing a stampede.  According to the BBC, human rights groups report that there are 157 known deaths as a result of the military attacks.  The Guinean government is claiming that only 57 people died, with only 4 deaths resulting from gun fire and attributes the rest of the total death toll to individuals who were trampled.  The New York Times reports that is it impossible to obtain an accurate death count because the military removed bodies from the stadium before they could be taken away by the proper officials.  CNN reports as many as 1,200 people were injured.  In addition to the violent attacks on unarmed demonstrators, The New York Times reports there is photographic evidence of women being assaulted and raped at gunpoint by soldiers.  The BBC reports that Camara claims to have no knowledge of the sexual assaults.  These attacks have further polarized the citizenry against Camara’s regime.

Several international leaders have denounced the violence in Guinea.  The New York Times reports The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, called the violence in Guinea a “blood bath.”  In addition, Pillay has called for an investigation into the incident.  The BBC reports Secretary of State Hillary Clinton denounced the violence, calling it a “vile violation.”  She said that actions will be taken against Guinea’s military government.  French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has commented that Camara knew about the full extent of the violence, and even might have ordered the attacks.  In addition, CNN reports that both the African Union and the European Union have publicly condemned the attacks.

The New York Times reports, in an interview with Radio France Internationale, that Camara denied responsibility for the violent attacks.  He stated, “We’re talking here about an uncontrolled movement. Even the chief of state can’t control this movement.”  In the same interview, Camara placed blame on the protestors.  The BBC reports that there have been numerous anti-government protests in the last few weeks.

Camara seized power last December after the death of President Lansana Conte in a bloodless coup.  The BBC reports that when Camara first took office, he said that he would not seek re-election, but has since changed his mind and recently stated that he has not ruled out the possibility of running for another term.  Since his assent to power, his leadership has come under criticism.  The BBC reports Camara initially gained popularity by promising to implement democracy and by cracking down on drug-trafficking, however, his consistently unpredictable behavior has caused many to turn against him.

On October 8, Voice of America reported that the Guinean government would launch a 31 member commission to investigate the violence.

Sources:
BBC News - France 'suspects Guinea leader'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8295774.stm

The New York Times - Guinea’s Capital Fades Into a Ghost Town After Soldiers’ Rampage
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/world/africa/30guinea.html?scp=4&sq=guinea&st=cse

CNN - U.N. condemns violence in Guinea
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/09/30/guinea.violence/index.html?iref=newssearch

BBC News - Guinea massacre toll put at 157
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8280603.stm

The New York Times - U.N. Human Rights Chief Condemns Guinea "Blood Bath"
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/09/30/world/international-uk-guinea-un.html?scp=9&sq=guinea&st=cse

Voice of America - Guinea Junta Leader Announces Probe Into Protest Massacre
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-10-08-voa19.cfm

Also See:
The CIA World Factbook – Guinea
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gv.html#top