From: Alliance Guinea (reposted with permission)
Thousands in Washington call for justice, with women in the lead
With a huge showing of women in the lead, an estimated 5000 people from at least 11 states across the east coast and Midwest – Guineans and friends of Guinea – marched in front of the White House and to the US State Department today to increase awareness of the atrocities of September 28 and to demand justice for the victims and help for a transition to democratic elections in Guinea. The marchers highlighted in particular the horrific violence committed against women that day and made it clear that these sacrifices must not be in vain.
In addition to the march, members of the Movement of Guinean Women in the United States and the Guinean Forces Vives in the US met with staff at the State Department where they fully briefed the African bureau on the current situation in Guinea and discussed strategies for continued U.S. support of an end to military rule in the country. In addition, a second delegation of Guinean civil society members and American friends of Guinea met with the staff of key offices on Capitol Hill to raise awareness of the situation in Congress and garner additional support.
Submitted this letter in the name of the Movement of Guinean Women and Guinean Forces Vives in the US and Alliance Guinea, clearly making the case for why action is needed now and what further steps the United States in particular can take to accelerate the transition.
In addition to people residing in Washington DC, marchers came in from Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, Ohio, Indiana, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland, with 17 buses from New York alone to show unity and solidarity for the people of Guinea and demand that action be taken now in the name of human rights and democracy.
Were you at the march? What was it like to express your views in front of the White House, State Department, and US Congress? Share with us your experiences here.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Monday, November 02, 2009
[Guinean news] Sept. 28 massacre was 'premeditated': HRW
Just a reminder that readers are encouraged to subscribe to Friends of Guinea's Twitter feed. Just go to and follow:
twitter.com/friendsofguinea
I post there links to news articles and columns related to the Guinea, Peace Corps and other stories that may be of interest to FOG members. Since I am usually just re-posting what I've found elsewhere, the Twitter feed gets updated more often than this blog, several times a week (But don't worry, any updates to this blog are also posted there).
One of the most prominent stories since the infamous Sept. 28 massacre was a report by Human Rights Watch (found here) which concluded that the massacre was in fact premeditated.
This is in stark contrast to claims by junta leader Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara that the killings were committed by out-of-control elements of the army and presidential guards and were not indicative of anything systematic. Dadis also claimed that the actions were in response to "provocation" by demonstrators protesting his decision to run in next January's presidential election.
HRW wrote that it found that members of the Presidential Guard carried out a premeditated massacre of at least 150 people on September 28 and brutally raped dozens of women. Red berets shot at opposition supporters until they ran out of bullets, then continued to kill with bayonets and knives.
The Africa director of HRW said, "Security forces surrounded and blockaded the stadium, then stormed in and fired at protesters in cold blood until they ran out of bullets. They carried out grisly gang rapes and murders of women in full sight of the commanders. That’s no accident."
HRW also discounted claims that the massacre was provoked.
Witness accounts and video evidence obtained by Human Rights Watch showing the stadium crowd just before the shooting shows a peaceful and celebratory atmosphere with opposition supporters singing, dancing, marching around the stadium with posters and the Guinean flag, and even praying.
Human Rights Watch has not seen any evidence that any opposition supporters were armed, and no security officials were wounded by opposition supporters at the stadium, suggesting that there was no legitimate threat posed by the opposition supporters that required the violence that followed.
Witnesses said that as soon as the Presidential Guard entered the stadium, its members began firing point-blank directly into the massive crowd of protesters, killing dozens and sowing panic.
The NGO also warned of an ethnic nature behind the killings, noting that majority of the victims were from the Peuhl ethnic group, which is almost exclusively Muslim, while most of the commanders at the stadium – and indeed key members of the ruling CNDD, including Camara, the coup leader – belong to ethnic groups from the southeastern forest region, which are largely Christian or animist.
twitter.com/friendsofguinea
I post there links to news articles and columns related to the Guinea, Peace Corps and other stories that may be of interest to FOG members. Since I am usually just re-posting what I've found elsewhere, the Twitter feed gets updated more often than this blog, several times a week (But don't worry, any updates to this blog are also posted there).
One of the most prominent stories since the infamous Sept. 28 massacre was a report by Human Rights Watch (found here) which concluded that the massacre was in fact premeditated.
This is in stark contrast to claims by junta leader Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara that the killings were committed by out-of-control elements of the army and presidential guards and were not indicative of anything systematic. Dadis also claimed that the actions were in response to "provocation" by demonstrators protesting his decision to run in next January's presidential election.
HRW wrote that it found that members of the Presidential Guard carried out a premeditated massacre of at least 150 people on September 28 and brutally raped dozens of women. Red berets shot at opposition supporters until they ran out of bullets, then continued to kill with bayonets and knives.
The Africa director of HRW said, "Security forces surrounded and blockaded the stadium, then stormed in and fired at protesters in cold blood until they ran out of bullets. They carried out grisly gang rapes and murders of women in full sight of the commanders. That’s no accident."
HRW also discounted claims that the massacre was provoked.
Witness accounts and video evidence obtained by Human Rights Watch showing the stadium crowd just before the shooting shows a peaceful and celebratory atmosphere with opposition supporters singing, dancing, marching around the stadium with posters and the Guinean flag, and even praying.
Human Rights Watch has not seen any evidence that any opposition supporters were armed, and no security officials were wounded by opposition supporters at the stadium, suggesting that there was no legitimate threat posed by the opposition supporters that required the violence that followed.
Witnesses said that as soon as the Presidential Guard entered the stadium, its members began firing point-blank directly into the massive crowd of protesters, killing dozens and sowing panic.
The NGO also warned of an ethnic nature behind the killings, noting that majority of the victims were from the Peuhl ethnic group, which is almost exclusively Muslim, while most of the commanders at the stadium – and indeed key members of the ruling CNDD, including Camara, the coup leader – belong to ethnic groups from the southeastern forest region, which are largely Christian or animist.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
[Advocacy news] March for Guinea in DC on October 26
I received the following press release from Alliance Guinea
There will be a march in Washington DC this Monday the 26th [of October] to raise awareness about the events of September 28 in Guinea and to garner continued support for justice and a transition to and through democratic elections. The march is designed to emphasize Guinean women’s participation in particular, and thousands of people are expected to join in from around the country.
It’s short notice – but can we mobilize as many Guinean and non-Guinean friends of Guinea from the Alliance Guinea group to join in as well?
The march will begin at 10am Monday in Lafayette Park in DC, and will include stops at the State Department and possibly Capitol Hill. We are also making arrangements for smaller meetings with key State and Hill representatives to inform, show support for statements made thus far, and discuss ways to move forward.
If you are in the Washington/MD/VA area, we hope to see you there. If you are in another city, especially on the East Coast, and wish to get connected with transportation to and from the march with others from your area, please email allianceguinea @ gmail.com.
Let’s make this as big a show of solidarity as possible – demonstrating that Guinean tragedies and dreams are everyone’s tragedies and dreams.
There will be a march in Washington DC this Monday the 26th [of October] to raise awareness about the events of September 28 in Guinea and to garner continued support for justice and a transition to and through democratic elections. The march is designed to emphasize Guinean women’s participation in particular, and thousands of people are expected to join in from around the country.
It’s short notice – but can we mobilize as many Guinean and non-Guinean friends of Guinea from the Alliance Guinea group to join in as well?
The march will begin at 10am Monday in Lafayette Park in DC, and will include stops at the State Department and possibly Capitol Hill. We are also making arrangements for smaller meetings with key State and Hill representatives to inform, show support for statements made thus far, and discuss ways to move forward.
If you are in the Washington/MD/VA area, we hope to see you there. If you are in another city, especially on the East Coast, and wish to get connected with transportation to and from the march with others from your area, please email allianceguinea @ gmail.com.
Let’s make this as big a show of solidarity as possible – demonstrating that Guinean tragedies and dreams are everyone’s tragedies and dreams.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
[PC Guinea news] Peace Corps Guinea reportedly suspended
According to several PCV blogs (here, here and here), the Peace Corps Guinea program, evacuated to Mali not long ago, has been officially suspended. I'm sure I speak for other RPCVs in Friends of Guinea in expressing our condolences to volunteers for their forced early departure.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
[Guinean news] General strike paralyzes Conakry; PCVs evacuated; EU calls for Dadis to be tried
Earlier this week, two-day general strike paralyzed Conakry. Thousands of residents of the capital stayed home to protest the junta's massacre of an estimated 187 peaceful protesters on September 28.
The junta's agriculture minister resigned in protest of the killings.
Guinéenews reports that one of its journalists as well as other journalists are regularly receiving death threats by the "security" forces.
Reuters reports that out-of-control soldiers are seen as the biggest source of instability in the country. The wire service also reported on internal tensions within the junta which make head of state Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara vulnerable to a 'palace coup.' They also mentioned accusations that foreign fighters were involved in the repression on demonstrators. The Nigeria Guardian has a story on divisions within the military.
ABC mentions fears that widespread rape and sexual violence by Guinean soldiers could destabilize the entire West African region (warning: contains graphic images).
The Peace Corps has confirmed that Guinea PCVs have been evacuated to Bamako, the capital of neighboring Mali. Families of volunteers are encouraged to contact Peace Corps’ Office of Special Services with any questions or concerns they may have. The Office of Special Services maintains a 24-hour a day, 7 days a week duty system, and can be reached at 800.424.8580 ( select 2, then 1, then ext. 1470 ) or 202.692.1470.
The public radio program The World did a segment on the reactions of Guineans living in New York City to the violence back home.
The European Union has called for Capt. Dadis to stand trial for crimes against humanity for last months' killings.
Reminder: more regular and extensive news updates and additional stories can be found via Friends of Guinea's Twitter feed. Just go to twitter.com/friendsofguinea and subscribe.
The junta's agriculture minister resigned in protest of the killings.
Guinéenews reports that one of its journalists as well as other journalists are regularly receiving death threats by the "security" forces.
Reuters reports that out-of-control soldiers are seen as the biggest source of instability in the country. The wire service also reported on internal tensions within the junta which make head of state Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara vulnerable to a 'palace coup.' They also mentioned accusations that foreign fighters were involved in the repression on demonstrators. The Nigeria Guardian has a story on divisions within the military.
ABC mentions fears that widespread rape and sexual violence by Guinean soldiers could destabilize the entire West African region (warning: contains graphic images).
The Peace Corps has confirmed that Guinea PCVs have been evacuated to Bamako, the capital of neighboring Mali. Families of volunteers are encouraged to contact Peace Corps’ Office of Special Services with any questions or concerns they may have. The Office of Special Services maintains a 24-hour a day, 7 days a week duty system, and can be reached at 800.424.8580 ( select 2, then 1, then ext. 1470 ) or 202.692.1470.
The public radio program The World did a segment on the reactions of Guineans living in New York City to the violence back home.
The European Union has called for Capt. Dadis to stand trial for crimes against humanity for last months' killings.
Reminder: more regular and extensive news updates and additional stories can be found via Friends of Guinea's Twitter feed. Just go to twitter.com/friendsofguinea and subscribe.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
[FOG news] Friends of Guinea statement on the events in Guinea
Below is a statement on behalf of the Friends of Guinea board of directors on the recent events in Guinea
As an organization primarily comprising people who've lived in or have some other strong connection to the country, Friends of Guinea is following the unfolding events in the Republic of Guinea with grave concern. We condemn by the massacre of 187 peaceful, unarmed protesters (over 1000 were injured) by the Guinean security forces and are particularly horrified by reports of soldiers publicly raping women.
The country's military leader, Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara, claims he has no control over the elements within the army and even blamed civilian opposition politicians for leading their followers into a confrontation with that army. In reality, the tension has been caused by Guineans' rightful disgust with corrupt leaders who've misruled and oppressed them with complete impunity for decades, last week's slaughter being only the most bloody example.
Guineans were initially optimistic about the new regime, as Capt. Dadis promised to crack down on corruption and drug trafficking. He also promised not to stand in next January's presidential elections. It was his reneging on that promise that led to the escalation of tension in the country. The brutal suppression, by men in uniform acting in his name, of peaceful protests is only making things worse.
If we are to take him at his word, that he's not in control of the military, then the military ruler must make re-establishing that control his number one task, not running a political campaign. We are heartened that Capt. Dadis says he agrees that an international inquiry into the massacre is merited, but that is not enough. We call on him to keep his initial promise to not run in the upcoming presidential elections and to hand over power to a democratically-elected civilian government. Imposing control over the security forces, implementing the rule of law and establishing democracy would be three of the most important things he could do for Guineans.
The September 28th killings occurred on the 51st anniversary of Guinea's historic rejection of French colonialism. In the lead up to that vote, Guinean leader Sékou Touré said that his countrymen would choose "poverty in liberty over prosperity in slavery." Guineans have seen plenty of poverty but precious little liberty. They are clearly showing how fed up they are with corrupt, autocratic regimes. After half a century, it's long past time they are allowed a leader who reflects their will. We call on Capt. Dadis to allow that to happen.
La version française de ce texte se trouve ici.
As an organization primarily comprising people who've lived in or have some other strong connection to the country, Friends of Guinea is following the unfolding events in the Republic of Guinea with grave concern. We condemn by the massacre of 187 peaceful, unarmed protesters (over 1000 were injured) by the Guinean security forces and are particularly horrified by reports of soldiers publicly raping women.
The country's military leader, Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara, claims he has no control over the elements within the army and even blamed civilian opposition politicians for leading their followers into a confrontation with that army. In reality, the tension has been caused by Guineans' rightful disgust with corrupt leaders who've misruled and oppressed them with complete impunity for decades, last week's slaughter being only the most bloody example.
Guineans were initially optimistic about the new regime, as Capt. Dadis promised to crack down on corruption and drug trafficking. He also promised not to stand in next January's presidential elections. It was his reneging on that promise that led to the escalation of tension in the country. The brutal suppression, by men in uniform acting in his name, of peaceful protests is only making things worse.
If we are to take him at his word, that he's not in control of the military, then the military ruler must make re-establishing that control his number one task, not running a political campaign. We are heartened that Capt. Dadis says he agrees that an international inquiry into the massacre is merited, but that is not enough. We call on him to keep his initial promise to not run in the upcoming presidential elections and to hand over power to a democratically-elected civilian government. Imposing control over the security forces, implementing the rule of law and establishing democracy would be three of the most important things he could do for Guineans.
The September 28th killings occurred on the 51st anniversary of Guinea's historic rejection of French colonialism. In the lead up to that vote, Guinean leader Sékou Touré said that his countrymen would choose "poverty in liberty over prosperity in slavery." Guineans have seen plenty of poverty but precious little liberty. They are clearly showing how fed up they are with corrupt, autocratic regimes. After half a century, it's long past time they are allowed a leader who reflects their will. We call on Capt. Dadis to allow that to happen.
La version française de ce texte se trouve ici.
Communiqué de presse sur la situation en Guinée
Communiqué de presse de la direction de Friends of Guinea sur les événements récents en Guinée
L’ONG Friends of Guinea suivent de près des événements préoccupants qui surviennent en Guinée depuis quelques semaines. Nous condamnons fermement le massacre de 187 manifestants paisibles et non-armés (plus d'un millier de blessés) par les forces de sécurité guinéennes qui a eu lieu le 28 septembre dernier. Nous sommes particulièrement horrifiés par les accusations de viol commis en public par les soldats contre les femmes.
Le chef de la junte, le capitaine Moussa Dadis Camara, dit ne pas contrôler des éléments de l'armée et a même accusé l'opposition d'avoir provoqué la confrontation qui a mené aux tueries. En fait, la tension monte parce que les Guinéens en ont assez des dirigeants autocratiques et corrompus qui ruinent le pays en toute impunité depuis l'indépendance.
Aux premiers jours de son régime, le capitaine Dadis a promis de mettre fin à la corruption et au trafic de la drogue. Il a également juré de ne pas se présenter comme candidat lors de l'élection présidentielle de janvier 2010, ce qui a laissé les Guinéens optimistes. C'est son choix de revenir sur sa promesse qui a provoqué la rupture avec le peuple de Guinée. La répression brutale commise en son nom n'a fait que l'éloigner d'eux.
Si le capitaine Dadis ne maîtrise pas l'armée, comme il le dit, son devoir premier est de rétablir la discipline militaire, non pas de mener une campagne politique. Nous sommes heureux que le chef de l'État agrée le besoin d'une enquête internationale sur le massacre, mais cela ne suffit pas. Nous l'appelons à tenir sa promesse initiale de ne pas se présenter comme candidat présidentiel et de livrer le pouvoir à un gouvernement civil et démocratiquement élu. Imposer de l'ordre aux forces de sécurité, bâtir un État de droit et l'établissement d'une démocratie seraient les trois choses les plus importantes qu'il pouvait faire pour les Guinéens.
Les tueries du 28 septembre dernier ont eu lieu la journée du 51e anniversaire du rejet historique du colonialisme français. Sékou Touré a dit que ses concitoyens allait choisir la pauvreté dans la liberté. Depuis l'indépendance, les Guinéens vivent beaucoup de pauvreté mais très peu de liberté. Les manifestations font preuve de leur désir de se débarrasser une fois pour toutes des régimes corrompus et autoritaires. Après un demi-siècle de souffrances, les Guinéens meritent un gouvernement et un État qui leur appartiennent. Nous appelons le capitaine Dadis à rendre la Guinée enfin aux Guinéens.
L’ONG Friends of Guinea suivent de près des événements préoccupants qui surviennent en Guinée depuis quelques semaines. Nous condamnons fermement le massacre de 187 manifestants paisibles et non-armés (plus d'un millier de blessés) par les forces de sécurité guinéennes qui a eu lieu le 28 septembre dernier. Nous sommes particulièrement horrifiés par les accusations de viol commis en public par les soldats contre les femmes.
Le chef de la junte, le capitaine Moussa Dadis Camara, dit ne pas contrôler des éléments de l'armée et a même accusé l'opposition d'avoir provoqué la confrontation qui a mené aux tueries. En fait, la tension monte parce que les Guinéens en ont assez des dirigeants autocratiques et corrompus qui ruinent le pays en toute impunité depuis l'indépendance.
Aux premiers jours de son régime, le capitaine Dadis a promis de mettre fin à la corruption et au trafic de la drogue. Il a également juré de ne pas se présenter comme candidat lors de l'élection présidentielle de janvier 2010, ce qui a laissé les Guinéens optimistes. C'est son choix de revenir sur sa promesse qui a provoqué la rupture avec le peuple de Guinée. La répression brutale commise en son nom n'a fait que l'éloigner d'eux.
Si le capitaine Dadis ne maîtrise pas l'armée, comme il le dit, son devoir premier est de rétablir la discipline militaire, non pas de mener une campagne politique. Nous sommes heureux que le chef de l'État agrée le besoin d'une enquête internationale sur le massacre, mais cela ne suffit pas. Nous l'appelons à tenir sa promesse initiale de ne pas se présenter comme candidat présidentiel et de livrer le pouvoir à un gouvernement civil et démocratiquement élu. Imposer de l'ordre aux forces de sécurité, bâtir un État de droit et l'établissement d'une démocratie seraient les trois choses les plus importantes qu'il pouvait faire pour les Guinéens.
Les tueries du 28 septembre dernier ont eu lieu la journée du 51e anniversaire du rejet historique du colonialisme français. Sékou Touré a dit que ses concitoyens allait choisir la pauvreté dans la liberté. Depuis l'indépendance, les Guinéens vivent beaucoup de pauvreté mais très peu de liberté. Les manifestations font preuve de leur désir de se débarrasser une fois pour toutes des régimes corrompus et autoritaires. Après un demi-siècle de souffrances, les Guinéens meritent un gouvernement et un État qui leur appartiennent. Nous appelons le capitaine Dadis à rendre la Guinée enfin aux Guinéens.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
[Advocacy news] Alliance Guinea calls for help from lawyers, educators, politicos, journalists and humanitarians
Jen from the newly created group Alliance Guinea (www.allianceguinea.org) writes:
(Notes: The name was changed from the former Guinea Solidarité which was similar to an organization that already existed. Le site est également disponible en français ici)
Calling all lawyers, educators, students, politicos, journalists, humanitarians
We've got our Facebook page, we have our website/blog, and now we need YOU to take these tools and *run with it*!
Following the call we had yesterday, we've identified the following areas of action, as stated on the website:
Advocate to governments, international organizations and agenda setters in support of human rights and a peaceful, democratic transition in Guinea. Serve as a resource to human rights organizations, law clinics, and international agencies investigating human rights abuses in Guinea. Serve as a resource and nonpartisan, multiethnic forum for activists, journalists and victims of human righs abuses in Guinea. Conduct outreach and provide resources for educators and student groups to raise awareness and promote activism in support of human rights and democracy in Guinea.
To acheive these things, we need you. Specifically:
• If you are a lawyer, law student, human rights clinic, pro-bono clinic, or human rights organization staffer: please email the new head of our law/human rights subcommittee, Rachel Cherington, at rcherington@yahoo.com, for more information and to get connected.
• If you are a high school or middle school teacher - or high school/middle school student - and want to work on discussion guides/lesson plans or anything else cool that you think of, please email ... me (jbsfela@yahoo.com) - until I can confirm our new education head -- or tell me if you want to be that person!
• If you are a university student or faculty member and want to help organize information and advocacy sessions at your school, please email our campus organizing heads Ataoulaye Fela Bah (afb21232@columbia.edu), Susan Martonosi (smartonosi@yahoo.com), and Lisa Mueller (lmmueller@ucla.edu)
• If you are are following the policy options very closely and/or have links to lawmakers and other decision-makers and want to be involved in our policy/advocacy subcommittee, please email me at (jbsfela@yahoo.com).
• If you are are following the policy options very closely and/or have links to lawmakers and other decision-makers and want to be involved in our policy/advocacy subcommittee, please email me at (jbsfela@yahoo.com).
• We are also looking for someone to take the lead on victim support efforts that people want to do, i.e. possibly connecting to Medecins Sans Frontiers to channel donations, etc. Please let me know if you are interested in this angle.
• Finally, we need people to be regular bloggers posting on our site, getting the discussion going on what’s going on in Guinea in general. If this is you, let me know.
We are now nearly 500 strong on Facebook – and I haven’t had a chance to count the number of letters that have been flying out but it’s got to be dozens (and that’s only the ones I know about). At this time, it’s about everyone making the most of these tools we have to start taking whatever initiatives you think would be helpful to further our collective goals.
In solidarity,
Jen
(Notes: The name was changed from the former Guinea Solidarité which was similar to an organization that already existed. Le site est également disponible en français ici)
Calling all lawyers, educators, students, politicos, journalists, humanitarians
We've got our Facebook page, we have our website/blog, and now we need YOU to take these tools and *run with it*!
Following the call we had yesterday, we've identified the following areas of action, as stated on the website:
Advocate to governments, international organizations and agenda setters in support of human rights and a peaceful, democratic transition in Guinea. Serve as a resource to human rights organizations, law clinics, and international agencies investigating human rights abuses in Guinea. Serve as a resource and nonpartisan, multiethnic forum for activists, journalists and victims of human righs abuses in Guinea. Conduct outreach and provide resources for educators and student groups to raise awareness and promote activism in support of human rights and democracy in Guinea.
To acheive these things, we need you. Specifically:
• If you are a lawyer, law student, human rights clinic, pro-bono clinic, or human rights organization staffer: please email the new head of our law/human rights subcommittee, Rachel Cherington, at rcherington@yahoo.com, for more information and to get connected.
• If you are a high school or middle school teacher - or high school/middle school student - and want to work on discussion guides/lesson plans or anything else cool that you think of, please email ... me (jbsfela@yahoo.com) - until I can confirm our new education head -- or tell me if you want to be that person!
• If you are a university student or faculty member and want to help organize information and advocacy sessions at your school, please email our campus organizing heads Ataoulaye Fela Bah (afb21232@columbia.edu), Susan Martonosi (smartonosi@yahoo.com), and Lisa Mueller (lmmueller@ucla.edu)
• If you are are following the policy options very closely and/or have links to lawmakers and other decision-makers and want to be involved in our policy/advocacy subcommittee, please email me at (jbsfela@yahoo.com).
• If you are are following the policy options very closely and/or have links to lawmakers and other decision-makers and want to be involved in our policy/advocacy subcommittee, please email me at (jbsfela@yahoo.com).
• We are also looking for someone to take the lead on victim support efforts that people want to do, i.e. possibly connecting to Medecins Sans Frontiers to channel donations, etc. Please let me know if you are interested in this angle.
• Finally, we need people to be regular bloggers posting on our site, getting the discussion going on what’s going on in Guinea in general. If this is you, let me know.
We are now nearly 500 strong on Facebook – and I haven’t had a chance to count the number of letters that have been flying out but it’s got to be dozens (and that’s only the ones I know about). At this time, it’s about everyone making the most of these tools we have to start taking whatever initiatives you think would be helpful to further our collective goals.
In solidarity,
Jen
[Guinean news] Guinean women increasingly 'prey' of soldiers; Sec. Clinton calls for junta to leave power
The New York Times had an article on the hugely troubling phenomenon of women increasingly becoming "prey" of out-of-control men in uniform.
Cellphone snapshots, ugly and hard to refute, are circulating here and feeding rage: they show that women were the particular targets of the Guinean soldiers who suppressed a political demonstration at a stadium here last week, with victims and witnesses describing rapes, beatings and acts of intentional humiliation, the piece begins, before adding, But even more than the shootings, the attacks on women — horrific anywhere, but viewed with particular revulsion in Muslim countries like this one — appear to have traumatized the citizenry and hardened the opposition’s determination to force out the leader of the military junta, Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara.
The daily also reported that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton not only condemned the violence but took the unusual step of saying that the military junta "cannot remain in power."
The paper added that Sec. Clinton's deputy met with the Guinean head of state and told him he was responsible for the violence, despite the captain's denials. Dadis was "noncommittal" when pressured to hold to his earlier promise not to run in January's presidential elections. The with Captain Camara is seen as significant by Africa experts as an example of President Obama’s push for good governance and human rights on the continent.
Cellphone snapshots, ugly and hard to refute, are circulating here and feeding rage: they show that women were the particular targets of the Guinean soldiers who suppressed a political demonstration at a stadium here last week, with victims and witnesses describing rapes, beatings and acts of intentional humiliation, the piece begins, before adding, But even more than the shootings, the attacks on women — horrific anywhere, but viewed with particular revulsion in Muslim countries like this one — appear to have traumatized the citizenry and hardened the opposition’s determination to force out the leader of the military junta, Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara.
The daily also reported that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton not only condemned the violence but took the unusual step of saying that the military junta "cannot remain in power."
The paper added that Sec. Clinton's deputy met with the Guinean head of state and told him he was responsible for the violence, despite the captain's denials. Dadis was "noncommittal" when pressured to hold to his earlier promise not to run in January's presidential elections. The with Captain Camara is seen as significant by Africa experts as an example of President Obama’s push for good governance and human rights on the continent.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
[FOG news] Friends of Guinea is now on Twitter
You can now follow Friends of Guinea via Twitter. Just follow go to twitter.com/friendsofguinea and follow us.
In addition to linking to FOG blog entries on FOG, Peace Corps and Guinean news, I will also repost ("retweet" or RT) links to related stories from other news outlets. It's a good way to keep up to date, especially now as events seem to be unfolding quickly.
In addition to linking to FOG blog entries on FOG, Peace Corps and Guinean news, I will also repost ("retweet" or RT) links to related stories from other news outlets. It's a good way to keep up to date, especially now as events seem to be unfolding quickly.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
