Guinea pardons former ruler Moussa Dadis Camara amid controversy

In a controversial resolution, Guinea’s ruling junta leader, Long-established Mamadi Doumbouya, has granted a presidential pardon to former military ruler Moussa Dadis Camara. Camara, convicted of crimes against humanity for his position in the 2009 massacre in Conakry, modified into as soon as pardoned on the grounds of “health reasons.” The announcement modified into as soon as made in a decree broadcast on national television on Friday.

The decree, read by the presidency spokesperson Long-established Amara Camara, stated that the pardon modified into as soon as granted following the proposal of the Minister of Justice. Nonetheless, there had been no prior indication of Camara’s deteriorating health, raising suspicions about the right motivations behind the resolution. Camara, who dominated Guinea from 2008 to 2009, modified into as soon as convicted in July 2024 for his position in the brutal repression of opposition protests at Conakry’s Mountainous Stade.

Greater than 150 of us had been killed, and over 100 ladies had been raped by safety forces below his command. The trial, supported by a UN-mandated inquiry, chanced on Camara liable for failing to conclude or punish the atrocities. Camara had been imprisoned since his return to Guinea in 2022 after 13 years in exile. The pardon follows a decree by the Guinean authorities to compensate the victims of the massacre, though the 400 civil events consuming about the case are silent awaiting compensation.

This resolution has sparked concerns about Guinea’s dedication to justice. While human rights organisations hailed the trial as a step toward accountability, the pardon risks undermining efforts to address impunity for past crimes. With the pardon granted, questions loom over whether or no longer this indicators a shift in Guinea’s transitional justice process below Doumbouya’s management.