UN Security Council slams Guinea violence
AFP
UNITED NATIONS - The UN Security Council on Wednesday condemned the crackdown by government troops reported to have killed more than 150 civilians in Guinea and demanded that authorities there end the violence without delay.
"Members of the Security Council condemn the violence" when troops opened fire on civilians Monday and "blatant violations of human rights, including rapes in public streets in broad daylight," said a strongly worded statement read by US Ambassador Susan Rice, the council chair this month.
Council members also slammed the violence that led to the arrest of opposition party leaders.
They urged the ruling junta which took power in Guinea last December to put an end to the violence "without delay" and took note of a statement by the African Union (AU) Commission that it was looking into "possible measures to be taken, including sanctions" in the light of recent events in Conakry.
The statement also said the council welcomed a call by the West African regional bloc ECOWAS for an international probe to identify those responsible for the Conakry carnage and take appropriate measures.
The Council noted "the risks these events pose to regional peace and security." And members appealed to the ruling junta led by Captain Moussa Dadis Camara to respect its prior commitments that it will not field candidates in upcoming elections.
Guineans security forces opened fire on Monday on opposition supporters at a rally in a Conakry stadium against the junta that seized power in a bloodless coup in the west African country last December.
The Guinean Human Rights Organisation said Tuesday that at least 157 people were killed and 1,253 wounded in the crackdown.
The United Nations, African Union, European Union and several countries have expressed alarm over the killings.
Camara installed himself at the helm of the francophone West African nation after leading a bloodless coup within hours of the death of Guinea's strongman leader Lansana Conte, who had been in power since 1984.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They urged the ruling junta which took power in Guinea last December to put an end to the violence "without delay" and took note of a statement by the African Union (AU) Commission that it was looking into "possible measures to be taken, including sanctions" in the light of recent events in Conakry.
The statement also said the council welcomed a call by the West African regional bloc ECOWAS for an international probe to identify those responsible for the Conakry carnage and take appropriate measures.
The Council noted "the risks these events pose to regional peace and security." And members appealed to the ruling junta led by Captain Moussa Dadis Camara to respect its prior commitments that it will not field candidates in upcoming elections.
Guineans security forces opened fire on Monday on opposition supporters at a rally in a Conakry stadium against the junta that seized power in a bloodless coup in the west African country last December.
The Guinean Human Rights Organisation said Tuesday that at least 157 people were killed and 1,253 wounded in the crackdown.
The United Nations, African Union, European Union and several countries have expressed alarm over the killings.
Camara installed himself at the helm of the francophone West African nation after leading a bloodless coup within hours of the death of Guinea's strongman leader Lansana Conte, who had been in power since 1984.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------