Guinea - violence

French nationals told to leave Guinea

Article published on the 2009-10-16 Latest update 2009-10-16 11:36 TU

Demonstrators try to escape from the Conakry stadium on 28 September 2009
(Photo: Reuters)

The French foreign ministry has issued a travel warning urging all of its nationals to leave Guinea because of the worsening security situation following the 28 September Conakry football stadium massacre.

The warning comes a day before an African Union deadline for military leader Moussa Dadis Camara to confirm that he will not stand in the elections scheduled for next year.

"We strongly advise against travel to Guinea and French nationals present in the country are advised to leave," said the ministry’s travel advisory on its website.

It said the security situation in Conkary had badly deteriorated following a 28 September crackdown on a rally in Conakry, citing "an increase in acts of banditry and armed robberies."

"There are no prospects for an improvement in the short term," it added.

There are an estimated 2,500 French nationals in the former French colony.

According to the United Nations and human rights groups, more than 150 people were killed when troops opened fire on opposition demonstrators at a football stadium on 28 September. The military government says 56 people died.

Local human rights groups also say 1,200 people were injured, including many women who were raped by soldiers during the crackdown.

The International Criminal Court says it has launched a "preliminary examination" into the killings.

The African Union’s peace and security council, which met on Thursday, told Camara that he will face sanctions unless he confirms that he will not run in next year's general elections.

The council also said that it is determined to bring to justice the perpetrators of the massacre.

“For the hideous acts that took place there is almost a unanimous position on that that we need to bring them [the perpetrators] to justice…it was very unacceptable. We need to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” said Nkozi Yoyo, head of the peace and security council.

Sanctions against Guinea will be discussed on Saturday by heads of state of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) who are holding an extraordinary summit in Abuja, Nigeria to discuss the Guinea crisis.

Francois Fall, a Guinean opposition leader who was among those beaten in the September 28 violence, told RFI that he is disappointed that so far African leaders have been so silent on the Guinean violence.

“That silence is not good for the Guinean people because we are expecting our brother heads of state top say something about their solidarity with the Guineans,” he said.

“Even if it just to say they are very concerned about what is happening in Guinea and appealing to take measures to avoid such crimes and violence in Guinea.”