By Jonathan Ambaye
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa Desk

CONARKY, Guniea-Guinea’s military leader, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara was shot and wounded in an attack on his presidential convoy in the nation’s capital, Conakry.  The attack was lead by a renegade faction of Guinea’s presidential guard. Only limied Information regarding the extent of Camara’s injuries has been made available. However reports have been made that the degree of harm was not severe.
Neighboring country, Senegal sent a medical plane to Conakry to bring Camara to Dakar. Camara’s Communications Minister, Idrissa Cherif said, “ the president of the republic is still the president of the republic and he is in good health.”

The shooting occurred after Camara had left the country’s main military barracks from where he has been running the country since leading a military coup that saw him seize power over eleven months ago. Upon leaving his barracks, he went downtown to a military camp, which is where the shooting took place.

This shooting comes at a time of great division within the country’s military and nation. Camara had promised to hold elections when he initially seized power. Not only has he delayed these elections, he has begun hinting that he plans to run for office. Upon the news of his alleged plans to run for election, mass protests erupted on September 28. In response to the protests the country’s presidential guard opened fire on the peaceful protesters, killing 157 people and further causing the current unrest in the country.

As a result of the massacre, sanctions were imposed on Guinea by the European Union, and the African union. Travel bans were also imposed on members of the military junta along with other sanctions.

For more information please see:

AP – Guinea’s President Wounded In Attack – 3 December 2009
CNN – Guniea Leader Survives Attack – 3 December 2009
BBC – Guinea’s Leader Shot and Wounded By Aide – 3 December 2009
Bloomberg – Junta Leader Camara Hurt In Shooting By Aide – 3 December 2009