Former Guinea Strongman Wants to Appeal Conviction for Brutal Massacre

On September 28, 2009, thousands of Guineans rallied at the Stade du Septembre 28 in the capital city, Conakry to demand that Camara step down from power. During the demonstrations, members of the security set upon unarmed civilians with deadly force, killing at least 156 people and injuring over a thousand others. While many survivors didn’t come forward, it was reported that many women were raped.

Due to the prominence of the presidential guard in the attacks, it was alleged that Camara ordered the killings and overall brutality, but the former ruler maintained — and continues to maintain — that the massacre was carried out by uncontrollable elements within the military ranks.

Shortly after the September 28 massacre, Camara was shot in an assassination attempt and eventually fled Guinea to exile until he officially returned to the country in 2021. Last year, during his trial, an armed group broke Camara out of jail, along with three other former government officials. They were recaptured shortly after.

Camara’s conviction is a rare case, considering that many former African leaders aren’t successfully tried for alleged crimes committed in office. “After nearly 15 years, the victims, survivors and their families have the right to full justice and transparency,” UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türksaid in a statement. “It is necessary to continue the path that Guinea has already started towards an end to impunity, and ensuring that all those responsible for human rights violations are brought to justice.”