ECOWAS Condemns Acts of Repression in Guinea
ABUJA, Nigeria, September 30, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The ECOWAS Commission has learnt with dismay that the peaceful demonstration
organised in Conakry by the Forum des Forces Vives de la Nation was met with violent
repression. The Commission strongly condemns these acts of repression.
ECOWAS regrets the several civilian fatalities resulting from the incident and calls for the
immediate release of all arrested persons. ECOWAS also presents its condolences to the
families of the victims.
ECOWAS calls for the setting up of an International Committee of Inquiry in collaboration
with the African Union and the United Nations Commission for Human Rights, in order to
identify the persons responsible and take necessary measures to address the situation.
This tragic incident is all the more regrettable as it occurred at a time when the
International Community is actively working towards a satisfactory end to the prevailing
crisis.
The International Contact Group on Guinea (ICG-G) which recently met in New York had
expressed concern at the delay in the electoral process and the continued deterioration of
the political, security and Human Rights situation in Guinea. The ICG-G had called on the
President of the CNDD to officially re-affirm his commitments, in writing, that he would not
be a candidate.
The militarisation of Guinea presents further grounds which justify ECOWAS’ request to
President Moussa Dadis Camara, to re-affirm his commitment not to contest the next
presidential elections.
ECOWAS reiterates its commitment to work within the framework provided by the
International Contact Group on Guinea for a peaceful and lasting solution to the situation in
Guinea.
SOURCE
Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS)
