The historic trial of the massacre of September 28, 2009 in Guinea resumed on November 13, 2023 in Conakry in the absence of one of the accused and under the repercussions of the commando operation which temporarily released the former head of the junta, Moussa Dadis Camara, November 4. This Monday was marked by the passage at the helm of Tibou Kamara, minister at the time of the events.
3 mins
With our correspondent in Conakry, Mouctar Bah
In Guineathe historic trial of the massacre of September 28, 2009 resumed on November 13, 2023 in Conakry in the absence of one of the accused, Claude Pivi still on the run, and under the repercussions of the commando operation which temporarily released from prison Moussa Dadis Camara nine days earlier.
Armed men extracted from prison on November 4 the former head of the junta and three other prisoners currently on trial for a massacre committed in 2009 under the presidency of Dadis Camara, one of the darkest pages in Guinean history .
Yesterday, it was the turn of the witnesses to this massacre to take the stand to reveal their part of the truth. And it was former minister Tibou Kamara who was the first to undertake this exercise.
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The prosecutor asked him: “ Do you agree with us that there were deaths at the stadium? » To which Tibou Kamara replied: “ It’s obvious, otherwise we wouldn’t be here. » The prosecutor continued: “ There were also cases of rape. » Tibou Kamara reacted: “ I’ve heard about it too, but I can’t give formal and categorical proof. » The prosecutor then questioned: “ Who do you think could do this? » Tibou Kamara retorted: “ Mr. Prosecutor, you are asking me for investigative work instead of my witness testimony. »
In his narration of the facts, the former minister testified in favor of Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, explaining that the former president was not the one who sent the soldiers to the September 28 stadium in Conakry. Testimony which comforted the lawyer of the putschist captain, Maître Antoine Pépé Lamah: “ It has in no way been established here that any planning was done in the presidency to perpetrate the crimes being prosecuted. Minister Tibou (Kamara) recalled that the president (Dadis) did not even know that this demonstration was going to be held. »
Disappointed with the appearance of this first witness, the lawyer for the civil parties waits to take the hand and ask his questions to the witness presented by the public prosecutor to know, according to him, the degree of involvement of the former head of the junta .
Maître Alfa Amadou DS Bah underlines: “ This is with a little reservation since there is a contradiction between his testimony and that of Mr. Sidya Touré who was called on the telephone. So we will ask him questions later. Maybe he’ll remember the details that will change the course of things. »
The hearing continues this Tuesday morning, again with Tibou Kamara, this time questioned by the lawyers of the very mobilized civil parties.