The trial of twelve former military and government officials, charged with responsibility for the September 28, 2009, massacre in Guinea, has reached a critical juncture. On June 26th, 2024, the Conakry criminal court concluded the final arguments, and the verdict is now set for deliberation on July 31. This marks a pivotal moment in the historic trial that began on September 28th, 2022.
The concluding arguments in the trial for the September 28th, 2009, massacre were presented on June 26, 2024, before the Conakry criminal court. Defense attorneys were the last to speak in this lengthy trial, where a dozen officers stand accused of involvement in the deaths of at least 156 people.
The victims were killed by gunfire, knives, machetes, or bayonets during the suppression of an opposition rally in a stadium in Conakry and its surroundings. An international commission of inquiry, mandated by the UN, reported that hundreds were injured and at least 109 women were raped during the crackdown.
The defense attorneys for Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, head of the junta from 2008 to 2010, and Commander Aboubacar Sidiki Diakité, known as Toumba – former aide-de-camp to Camara – were the final speakers. Both are among the most prominent defendants in this case.
Reflecting on the 18-month trial, Jean-Baptiste Jocamey Haba, attorney for Dadis Camara, emphasized the trial’s significance: “Firstly, it demonstrates the judiciary’s capacity to organize and conduct such a trial. Secondly, it underscores that no one, regardless of their position within the state, is immune from prosecution or judgment.”
Haba further stated that the ongoing trial symbolizes the end of impunity in Guinea: “The prime example is President Moussa Dadis Camara. Current and future authorities must understand that they will never be immune and must act for the population’s benefit, in strict adherence to our laws.”
Lancinet Sylla, attorney for Toumba Diakité, echoed this sentiment: “This trial signifies the breaking of the chain of impunity that has marked crimes since our independence. It shows that no one is above the law and that justice will eventually catch up with them, regardless of their status.”
Both attorneys have requested acquittal for their clients, Moussa Dadis Camara and Toumba Diakité, asserting their innocence. The court’s decision is pending, scheduled for July 31.
In late May, the prosecutor called for life imprisonment for Moussa Dadis Camara and six other defendants. The prosecutor also sought to reclassify the charges as crimes against humanity.
This trial represents a significant step towards accountability and justice in Guinea, demonstrating that the era of impunity is coming to an end.