Reuters has a couple of good analyses on the newly democratic system in Guinea.
The first explores 'the political turmoil, ethnic strife, and showdowns with international mining firms' that have characterized Pres. Alpha Conde's first half year in office.
Conde's security forces earlier this month cracked down on a crowd that had gathered at Conakry's airport to welcome [opposition leader Cellou Dalein] Diallo home from a trip, killing one and injuring several others.
Human rights activists said security forces, which are mostly Malinke, used anti-Peul slurs during the crackdown.
Dozens of Diallo supporters have been arrested and the offices of Diallo's party were raided by security forces.
The second Reuters piece has a look at some of the key political risks the country is facing.
Showing posts with label security forces. Show all posts
Showing posts with label security forces. Show all posts
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
[Guinean news] Protesters injured by security forces
Jeune Afrique reports that dozens of protesters were injured when security forces fired on protesters. The supporters of losing presidential candidate Cellou Dalein Diallo had gathered at the Conakry airport to protest against President Alpha Condé's regime. The pan-African weekly quoted Guinea's chief human rights advocate saying that 27 people were hospitalized after the incident, 8 of whom were injured by bullets. He added that it was highly likely that there were others injured being treated at private clinics. There are no reports of deaths at this time.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
[Guinean news] Sept. 28 massacre, rapes 'premeditated,' 'likely crimes against humanity': HRW
The non-governmental organization Human Rights Watch has issued a report described the Sept. 28 killings in Conakry's main sports' stadium as 'premeditated' and 'likely crimes against humanity.'
HRW came to this conclusion after interviewing 240 victims, witnesses, military personnel, medical staff, humanitarian officials, diplomats, and journalists.
The NGO collected chilling witness accounts describing how members of Guinea's security forces burst into the stadium and opened fire on tens of thousands of opposition supporters who had gathered to demand a return to civilian rule... Witnesses described how bodies were strewn across the field, crushed against half-opened gates, and draped over walls. Others told how the panicked demonstrators were gunned down as they tried to scale the stadium walls; shot point blank after being caught hiding in tunnels, bathrooms, and under seats; and mowed down after being drawn out by soldiers who were pretending to offer safe passage.
"The serious abuses carried out in Guinea on September 28 were clearly not the actions of a group of rogue, undisciplined soldiers, as the Guinean government contends," said Peter Bouckaert, Emergencies director at Human Rights Watch. "They were premeditated, and top-level leaders must at the very least have been aware of what was being planned, our investigation shows."
-The HRW summary is here
-The full report can be accessed here
HRW came to this conclusion after interviewing 240 victims, witnesses, military personnel, medical staff, humanitarian officials, diplomats, and journalists.
The NGO collected chilling witness accounts describing how members of Guinea's security forces burst into the stadium and opened fire on tens of thousands of opposition supporters who had gathered to demand a return to civilian rule... Witnesses described how bodies were strewn across the field, crushed against half-opened gates, and draped over walls. Others told how the panicked demonstrators were gunned down as they tried to scale the stadium walls; shot point blank after being caught hiding in tunnels, bathrooms, and under seats; and mowed down after being drawn out by soldiers who were pretending to offer safe passage.
"The serious abuses carried out in Guinea on September 28 were clearly not the actions of a group of rogue, undisciplined soldiers, as the Guinean government contends," said Peter Bouckaert, Emergencies director at Human Rights Watch. "They were premeditated, and top-level leaders must at the very least have been aware of what was being planned, our investigation shows."
-The HRW summary is here
-The full report can be accessed here
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
[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.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
[Guinean news] Judicial strike; security chaos; Guinean soccer team loses at home
The Guinean military junta's cabinet member in charge of fighting crime and drugs trafficking provoked widespread international criticism when he urged civilians to 'burn alive' armed robbers caught in the act.
"I am asking you to burn alive armed bandits who are caught red-handed," said Capt. Moussa Tiegoro Camara. "Our jails and our correctional centres can no longer take in people and the situation cannot carry on like this."
The call was denounced by the Guinean Organization for Human Rights as well as international NGOs. It was seen as an admission of the junta's impotence in security matters.
Earlier this week, the Guinean judges and lawyers briefly went on strike to protest military interference in judicial matters. Yesterday, junta leader Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara fulfilled the strikers' main demand by eliminating the position of secretary of state responsible for conflicts.
The Guinean soccer team was defeated 2-1 on Sunday by Côte d'Ivoire in Conakry during a 2010 World and African Nations Cup qualifier. The loss marked the first competitive defeat at home for the national team since 1994 and their first loss of any kind at home since 1996. Following the match, national team coach Robert Nouarazet and the Guinean federation parted ways by mutual consent. The Frenchman was replaced by the revered former Guinean player Aboubacar "Titi" Camara.
"I am asking you to burn alive armed bandits who are caught red-handed," said Capt. Moussa Tiegoro Camara. "Our jails and our correctional centres can no longer take in people and the situation cannot carry on like this."
The call was denounced by the Guinean Organization for Human Rights as well as international NGOs. It was seen as an admission of the junta's impotence in security matters.
Earlier this week, the Guinean judges and lawyers briefly went on strike to protest military interference in judicial matters. Yesterday, junta leader Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara fulfilled the strikers' main demand by eliminating the position of secretary of state responsible for conflicts.
The Guinean soccer team was defeated 2-1 on Sunday by Côte d'Ivoire in Conakry during a 2010 World and African Nations Cup qualifier. The loss marked the first competitive defeat at home for the national team since 1994 and their first loss of any kind at home since 1996. Following the match, national team coach Robert Nouarazet and the Guinean federation parted ways by mutual consent. The Frenchman was replaced by the revered former Guinean player Aboubacar "Titi" Camara.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
[Guinean news] Striking policemen clash with soldiers
Last week saw two days of clashes between police and soldiers in Conakry. The police went on strike to protest salary arrears. Soldiers, who themselves rioted over back pay only a few weeks prior, were called in to suppress the police revolt. Customs officials also reportedly joined the police strike.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
[Guinean news] Security forces a 'permanent menace' to the people: Amnesty
After conducting investigations into the killings that marred the Guinean general strike earlier this year, Amnesty International issued its findings (in French).
The human rights' organization concluded that the Guinean security forces were 'a permanent menace for the population.'
Amnesty reported that the security forces resort to the use of force against the population each time that the government feels threatened. The fact that no one has been held accountable shows clearly that the authorities, up to the highest level, have ignored these dealings and even encouraged them.
The organization called on the government to take actions to prevent the security forces from using excessive force against unarmed civilians and to give material and juridical reparations the the families of the over 130 people killed and over 1500 wounded during the violent repression of mostly peaceful marches that occured in Guinea in January and February 2007.
The human rights' organization concluded that the Guinean security forces were 'a permanent menace for the population.'
Amnesty reported that the security forces resort to the use of force against the population each time that the government feels threatened. The fact that no one has been held accountable shows clearly that the authorities, up to the highest level, have ignored these dealings and even encouraged them.
The organization called on the government to take actions to prevent the security forces from using excessive force against unarmed civilians and to give material and juridical reparations the the families of the over 130 people killed and over 1500 wounded during the violent repression of mostly peaceful marches that occured in Guinea in January and February 2007.
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