Gunmen break former Guinean leader out of prison

An armed group attacked a prison in the capital Conakry of the West African nation of Guinea and released Moussa Dadis Camara, the former leader of the military junta from 2008-2010.

Guinea's Justice Minister Charles Wright announced on November 4th that a heavily armed group had attacked the Central House prison in the Kaloum administrative district of the capital Conakry in the early morning hours. The gunmen freed Moussa Dadis Camara along with three other prisoners. Camara, 59, had led the military junta in Guinea from December 2008 to January 2020.

AFP, citing informed sources, reported that the gunmen attacked the prison at around 4 a.m., bypassing security forces. The group appeared to know the location beforehand and quickly proceeded to Camara's cell, taking him and three former officials out of the prison.

Jocamey Haba, Camara's defense lawyer, suspects his client has been kidnapped and his life is in danger. "He believes in justice in his country, and therefore has never tried to flee," Haba said.

Moussa Dadis Camara in the capital Conakry when he took power in 2009. Photo: RFI — Moussa Dadis Camara in the capital Conakry when he took power in 2009. Photo: *RFI*

Mr. Wright said that those taken away were all involved in the trial for the September 28, 2009 massacre in Guinea.

Camara denied responsibility, blaming subordinate units for disobeying government orders. He has been detained since September 2022, when the case went to trial.

The Guinean government ordered a border blockade to prevent the group of gunmen from escaping abroad. Justice Minister Charles Wright declared he would "find Camara at all costs."

Guinea, a West African nation of 14 million people, is currently led by a military government headed by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya following a 2021 coup that overthrew the civilian government of former president Alpha Conde.

Eight countries in West and Central Africa have experienced coups in the past three years, with Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Gabon maintaining military rule.