By Jennifer M. Haralambides

CONAKRY, Guinea – A regional African bloc has called for Guinea to return to civilian control.

General Sekouba Konate, the vice president of the military junta, has assumed control of the country following the assassination attempt on their leader.

Guinea’s military leader Captian Moussa “Dadis” Camara was airlifted to Morocco on Friday for emergency surgery after an aide shot him in the head during a firefight between rival factions of the Guinea army.  Lieutenant Abubakar Diakite, the aide who allegedly shot Camara is currently on the run.

Diakite is not only suspected of trying to kill Camara, but for attempting a coup d’etat.  There have been reports that shots were heard near the barracks of the presidential guard hours after a television broadcast solicited information about Diakite’s whereabouts.

Human rights groups also blame Diakite, who had commanded the elite presidential guard, for the violent crackdown on protesters that left more than 150 people dead.  The United Nations is investigating the incident.

General Konate was rushed to Guinea’s capital from overseas to assume control immediately after the attack.

Regional blocs are against Konate’s temporary rule, and want government control to return to civilians until the January elections.  There is hope that a reshuffle prompted by the absence of Camara may create some movement in the political system in Guinea.  The country is supposed to be holding a presidential election at the end of January and the opposition adamantly wants a civilian-run transitional government until then.

The Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) has called on junta to relinquish power over fears that the struggle between rival commanders will destabilize the region.  ECOWAS also called for junta to set up a transitional authority and organize elections excluding all junta members.
For more information, please see:

AP – West Africa Bloc Calls for Civilian Rule in Guinea – 6 December 2009

BBC – Guinea President “Favourable” After Head Surgery – 6 December 2009

Guardian.co.uk – West African Leaders Call for Civilian Rule in Guinea – 6 December 2009

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL – African Group Urges Guinea Transition – 6 December 2009

Impunity Watch – Guinea Leader Wounded in Shooting – 4 December 2009