Guinea Junta Warns
Against Foreign Interference
The
Guinean military government has warned that any foreign military
intervention in its territory will be considered a declaration
of war.
Official spokesman, Colonel Moussa Keita said that any country
that sends troops into the country would “be performing an
assault on the authority of the Guinean state.”
The warning follows a proposal by the West African bloc, ECOWAS
to send an intervention force to Guinea to prevent unrest that
it fears could destabilise the whole region.
Guinea's ruler Captain Moussa Camara is recuperating in an
hospital in Morocco, after sustaining injuries from an
assassination attempt by one of his aides last week, a result of
rifts within the military.
Admittance
Lieutenant Toumba Diakite said, in an interview with RFI
radio, that he shot Captain Camara in the neck to avoid being
arrested. He said that the military intended to blame him for a
massacre of opposition protesters on 28 September - which he
denies.
Junta officials have given mixed messages about the seriousness
of his condition - with some suggesting he could return to the
country within weeks and others saying it could be a much longer
period of time.
On the run
The interview with Diakite was recorded three days ago, and
it is unclear whether he is still in Guinea or has fled the
country.
Previous reports said he was on the run inside Guinea.
The military drew international criticism by opening fire on
crowds in a Conakry sports stadium on 28 September - with rights
groups claiming more than 150 people were killed.
Activists have blamed both Capt Camara and Lt Diakite for the
massacre.
Captain Camara previously tried to distance himself from the
incident by saying he was not in full control of the officers at
the rally.
The military took over in Guinea after the death of long-time
leader Lansana Conte last December, but their rule has been
characterised by instability and violent crackdowns on dissent.
Panos/BBC/Qasim/Yinka
