Guinea: Opposition rejects peace deal

  1. Posted on Saturday 21 November 2009 - 12:00
    KingsleyKobo
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    Kingsley Kobo, AfricaNews reporter in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
    Guinea's opposition has rejected proposals made by the mediator, President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso, on the basis that the will of the masses was not taken into account. The potential peace deal says junta leader Captain Camara should stay in power to lead a national transitional council with a prime minister from an opposition party.
    captain camara
    "The national transition council will be charged with organizing presidential elections within 10 months starting from December," the mediation document states.

    In a statement issued to the press in Conakry on Friday, the Forum of Active Forces, comprising opposition parties, trade unions and civil society, said the fundamental preoccupations of the Guinean people were totally ignored by the mediator.

    Whereas the opposition bloc is calling for Camara to step down for a neutral personality to lead the transition. And worse, the mediation document says Camara could contest for an eventual presidential election if he wishes.

    The junta’s rivals, just like the African Union, do not want any member from the ruling military team to run for the presidency, for fear of malpractices.

    "We firmly reject such proposals. To accept this would mean that the people have died for nothing," an opposition leader was quoted as saying by AFP.

    Camara came to power in a bloodless coup on December 23, 2008 after the death of former president Lansana Conte, who had led the country since 1984.

    On September 28, hundreds of Guineans turned out in a Conakry stadium to oppose Camara's standing for the presidency; troops opened fire and killed 157 people, according to the opposition and Human Rights Watch. Many women were also publicly raped by the soldiers.

    The junta says that 56 people were killed and 934 were injured in the incident.

    The mineral rich country has been in a political impasse since then. The Economic Community of West African States appointed Burkina Faso’s Blaise Compaore as mediator.

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