Guinea junta leader should go on trial

Guinea's junta leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara should be tried for crimes against humanity over last month's crackdown on opposition protesters, EU development commissioner Karel de Gucht said on Wednesday.

Guinea's junta leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara should be tried for crimes against humanity over last month's crackdown on opposition protestors, EU development commissioner Karel de Gucht said Wednesday.

De Gucht described the September 28 repression on an opposition rally in the capital Conakry as "brutality never seen before."

"We are facing a real crime against humanity. The principal idea is that everywhere there is crime against humanity, the crime must be punished."

De Gucht, EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid was speaking to reporters after talks with African Union officials at the bloc's Addis Ababa headquarters.

According to the United Nations and human rights groups, more than 150 people were killed when troops opened fire on the demonstrators at a football stadium, but the military government says 56 people died.

"Sooner or later he (Camara) will have to stand in court after the brutal attack against civilians," de Gucht said.

"The crackdown on the opposition in Guinea, will remain as a dark day, a black Monday in Guinea's history."

The demonstrators were angered by Camara's apparent intentions to stand in the election the junta plans to organise next January. The military leader has thus far hinted that he may stand.

"What has happened is a crime against humanity against the citizens of Guinea," de Gucht said. "The scale of the deaths make it a crime against humanity... Individuals like the leader of the junta should then be brought to justice."

"The people of Guinea have the right to freedom and to choose their leaders," he added.

Last December, the army seized power in a bloodless coup within hours of the death of Lansana Conte who had ruled the small west African country with an iron fist since 1984.

Camara vowed the military would only hold power for a short period to crack down on corruption and drug trafficking before calling elections.

Concerned by hints that he plans to run for office, the African Union last month threatened sanctions against Camara.

The pan-African bloc issued the military leadership with an ultimatum on October 17 to declare he will not take part in the poll.

Its Peace and Security Council is to meet on Thursday when the deadline passes.

"What we want is to put Guinea's transitional process back on track," AU's Peace and Security Commissioner Ramtane Lamamra said in Addis.

Guinea is to hold the first and second round of presidential polls in January and February next year, followed by a parliamentary election in March.

The International Contact Group on Guinea on Tuesday said the country's military leadership should step down and make way for a transitional authority.

AFP - Oct. 14th, 2009