More than 150 protesters were killed and scores of women were sexually assaulted by Guinean security forces on 28 September at a demonstration at the main stadium in the capital, Conakry. People were protesting against the candidacy of military junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara in the 2010 presidential elections when soldiers opened fire with live ammunition and teargas.

After the crackdown, armed soldiers began looting shops, breaking into homes and arresting people who ventured onto the streets. IANSA member organisation ABC Development reports that markets, shops, and banks remained closed on 30 September and most people stayed in their homes, not daring to go out.

In December 2008, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara took power after the death of Lansana Conté, Guinea’s president for 24 years. Camara promised to lead Guinea to democracy and said that he would not stand in the elections.

Armed forces in Guinea have a history of using excessive force against demonstrators.

Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, have called for an international commission of inquiry to investigate the killings and rapes and for a halt to all supplies of security and police equipment that could be used to commit serious human rights violations.

Baffour Amoa from the West African Action Network on Small Arms said, “We condemn the indiscriminate firing on unarmed civilians and we urge Guinea’s government to hold accountable those security forces who were involved in the attacks. The Guinean army must abandon its tradition of resorting to violence when facing protests. We welcome the call for an investigation.”