When the soldiers opened fire on their defenceless compatriots in Guinea many people expected that Captain Camara would denounce the tyranny, offer to resign and put in place a transitional government that would oversea free and fair elections under the watchful eye of Sub-Regional, Regional and International bodies.

Instead of taking such a logical step Captain Camara ironically told the world that he had no control of the soldiers and was in fact in between the devil and the deep blue sea. In short, he wanted the world to believe that he was the person standing in between the soldiers and the opposition and that the opposition provoked the violence by holding an unauthorised public meeting.

Captain Camara had forgotten that no one authorised him to seize power on 28 December 2008 following the death of the original coup maker after Sekou Touray, General Lansana Conteh. He failed to take note of the fact that the rally was called to protest against any attempt for him to prolong his stay in office through another sham election.

He could have addressed the meeting to show that he had no intention to participate in elections as a candidate after the transition and won the heart of every progressive person in the world. Instead, Human rights groups have documented rampant rape, torture and murder which have outraged the conscience of just humanity on 28 September 2009.

ECOWAS led the way by condemning the rape and murder which was evident to all. The dispute is only in the number of the victims.

ECOWAS imposed arms embargoes and travel restrictions which was followed by the same punitive measure imposed by the European Union. The officials of the EU have gone as far as to call for Capt Camara to be tried for crimes against humanity.

The UN has created a tribunal to probe the atrocities which led to the alleged murder of 157 Guineans and the injury and rape of many others.

Now it is reported that, the US and AU placed travel bans on members of Guinean junta. The AU also froze the individuals' bank accounts and called on them to step down.

Editor's Note

The Coup in Mauritania that was followed by Presidential Elections which witnessed the participation of the Coup makers was a step backward in the struggle of the progressive forces of the continent against unconstitutional method of government and unconstitutional takeover of government. The only government which is fit to govern a sovereign people is one determined by their sovereign will and consent. This is the lesson which is being driven home in the Guinean situation. The international coalition against impunity is the only way to prevent conflict and conserve world peace and security.