Guinea Court Sentences Former Military Ruler Moussa Dadis Camara to 20 Years for Crimes Against Humanity
On Wednesday, a court in Guinea sentenced former military leader Moussa Dadis Camara to 20 years in prison after finding him guilty of crimes against humanity. The charges stem from the brutal massacre of over 150 people during a pro-democracy rally in Conakry on September 28, 2009.
The trial, which began in November 2022, was a decade in the making, driven by the persistent demands of victims’ families and activists seeking justice. Over 100 survivors and relatives testified, revealing the horrors of the massacre and the subsequent cover-up.
Camara was convicted of charges including murder, rape, torture, and kidnapping, which were reclassified as crimes against humanity. Seven other military commanders were also found guilty of similar crimes, while four were acquitted.
Camara, who seized power in a 2008 coup following the death of President Lansana Conté, faced widespread criticism after soldiers fired on protesters at a stadium who were opposing his plans to stand in the next presidential election. Despite claims from the junta that “uncontrolled” army elements were responsible for the atrocities, evidence and witness accounts indicated that Camara’s top aides were present and did nothing to intervene.
Following the massacre, Camara fled the country after surviving an assassination attempt. He returned from exile in September 2022 to face trial, maintaining his innocence. In a dramatic turn last year, Camara was briefly released by gunmen who stormed the country’s main prison but was quickly recaptured, with his lawyer alleging he had been kidnapped.
Amnesty International has praised the court’s decision as a “historic verdict,” highlighting it as a significant example for both Guinea and the international community. The organization noted that the verdict stands as a crucial step in addressing the illegal use of firearms and excessive force during demonstrations, which remains a pressing issue in Guinea.
