Conakry: Guinea's military leader banned all
gatherings and demonstrations and called for two days of
mourning starting today after troops opened fire on 50,000
pro-democracy protesters at a stadium rally earlier this week.
A human rights group said 157 people were killed and more
than 1,200 were wounded, while the government maintains 57
died and said most of them were trampled.
Flags fluttered at half-staff in the capital's quiet
streets today morning. Shops, schools and fuel stations were
closed.
Capt Moussa "Dadis" Camara appeared on state television
late yesterday, blaming the opposition for acting
irresponsibly in Monday's demonstration and calling for an
inquiry.
The protest in the capital's main soccer stadium turned
bloody when Camara's presidential guard opened fire into the
crowd of 50,000, scattering panicked demonstrators and leaving
behind scores of dead.
Opposition politician Mutarr Diallo said he witnessed
soldiers raping women with rifle butts.
"It was the opposition politicians who led other people's
sons and daughters to their deaths while their own sons and
daughters are comfortably living elsewhere," Camara said,
referring to wealthy Guineans who send their children abroad
to study.
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, September 30, 2009, 19:33