Guinea: Armed Soldiers March Through Capital

11 May 2007
allAfrica.com

Conakry slowly returned to normal late Friday as soldiers agreed to return to barracks.

Guinea's president, Lansana Conté, has agreed to meet with mutinous government soldiers Saturday, reports the Conakry-based news service, Aminata.com.

Sources in Guinea told allAfrica that the soldiers marched on the presidential residence in Conakry Friday afternoon, firing shots into the air. The march followed reports of growing unrest over pay in army barracks.

Also on Friday, a government spokesman announced that some of the soldiers' demands – on promotions, pay and pensions – would be met. Their two main concerns – the dismissal of top commanders and the payment of arrears for the past nine years - have yet to be resolved.

It is not clear whether tomorrow's meeting will provide a permanent solution to the two-week-long crisis.

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