By Ebi Kesiena
A court in Guinea sentenced former military ruler Moussa Dadis Camara to 20 years in prison for crimes against humanity on Wednesday.
The charges relate to the September 2009 massacre – one of the worst in the nation’s history, where more than 156 people were killed after troops opened fire at a rally demanding a return to civilian rule.
Camara seized power in a coup following the death of long-time President Lansana Conté in 2008.
However, he fled the country after surviving an assassination attempt shortly after the massacre. He returned from exile to Burkina Faso in September 2022 to face justice, maintaining his innocence throughout the trial.
The court convicted Camara along with seven of his military commanders, while four other officials were acquitted.
The massacre occurred when tens of thousands of people gathered in a stadium in the capital, Conakry, urging Camara not to stand in the presidential election. The security forces responded with gunfire, teargas, and a violent charge into the stadium, resulting in many being shot, stabbed, beaten, or crushed in the chaos. Scores of women were also raped.
Camara faced charges of murder, rape, torture, and kidnapping, which were reclassified as crimes against humanity. Despite his denial of involvement in the massacre, the court found him guilty. His lawyer condemned the ruling as politically motivated and announced plans to appeal.
The 2010 election, which followed the massacre, ushered in a decade of civilian rule with Alpha Condé becoming president. Condé was overthrown in a coup nearly three years ago following protests against his controversial third term.
