The World Briefly

October 05, 2022

Of Justice and Public Stunts

Guinea

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Guinea recently began a historic trial of the country’s former president and 10 of his top officials for a 2009 stadium massacre in the capital Conakry, that saw government troops killing protesters and raping women, the Washington Post reported.

On Sept. 28, 2009, thousands gathered at Conakry’s soccer stadium to protest the junta government led by then-President Moussa Dadis Camara. The demonstrations became a bloodbath after security forces fired on protesters, killing more than 150 people, and raping more than 100 women. A United Nations commission also found that government forces attempted to cover up the massacre.

The trial began on the 13th anniversary of the massacre and comes a year after the West African nation experienced a military coup that ousted President Alpha Condé.

Condé had avoided holding a trial against Camara, despite pressure from domestic and international human rights groups. But the new junta pledged to hold a trial that would be transparent, impartial and safe.

Some human rights activists, however, cautioned that the proceedings might just be a publicity stunt for the junta, which has been facing international condemnation and sanctions for failing to establish a timeline for democratic elections.

Even so, many observers and victims welcomed the proceedings, saying that it was rare that a government would try its own leaders for such atrocities in domestic courts. Others said it will finally bring victims long-awaited justice.

The trial could last more than a year.

This story originally appeared in the October 05, 2022 newsletter, Little Islands, Big Games.