[Guinean news] Gold mine collapses; junta won't stand in elections, wants to reform army; rioters fired upon

At least 13 people were killed when a gold mine collapsed last week, according to the Guinean government. The gold mine was in Touletoni, in the Siguiri prefecture.

The country's military leader Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara told journalists that no members of the ruling junta are going to run in legislative and presidential elections scheduled for late this year.

Dadis also said he wants to reform the armed forces before the end of his tenure. The army is widely seen a major source of instability in the country. Human rights groups have repeatedly shed light on soldier impunity.

At least two people were wounded on Saturday when Guinean security forces fired on rioters. A police station and several police vehicles were attacked in the riot which was sparked by an armed robbery on a local shop by thieves dressed in military uniform, reported TVNZ.

[Guinean news] Defense minister sacked; more army unrest

The Guinean defense minister Gen. Mamadou Bailo Diallo has been sacked, according to Guinéenews. No replacement has apparently been named.

The news caused panic in the capital as shooting was heard at the Samory Touré military camp in central Conakry.

“We don’t know if they are shots of joy or something else,” a Conakry resident explained to Guinéenews. The resident also claims to have seem vehicles filled with armed soldiers headed toward the presidential palace, reportedly to reinforce presidential security.

Mutinous soldiers also ransacked the home of Gen. Bailo in the coastal city of Dubréka, which is also the hometown of the head of state Gen. Lansana Conté.

[Guinean news] Army chief kidnaped by mutinous soldiers

Guinean soldiers have seized Gen. Mamadou Sampil after the army chief visited Camp Alpha Yaya Diallo to negotiate with them. The soldiers claim they have been owed money for 12 years, as they were promised more money following an army mutiny/attempted coup on 2-3 February 1996. Troops have mutinied over the issue several times in recent years. The BBC reports that shots were also fired at military camps in Kindia and N'Zérékoré.