Guinea urged to strike peace deal
Human rights group accuses the security forces of being heavy-handed with civilians.
“Under the guise of reestablishing law and order, they’re acting like common criminals, beating, robbing and brutalizing the population they’re supposed to protect,” he added.
Former colonial power France, hosting a summit of African leaders in Cannes, led calls for Conte’s government to seek a peaceful political deal acceptable to all sides.
Chirac said French aeroplanes and ships were ready to evacuate, if necessary, about 2,000 French citizens from Guinea, as well as Lebanese, US and other citizens.
‘Sporadic shooting’
Guinean officials sought to fend off the criticism, saying security forces had faced looters, escaped prisoners and protesters who had obtained arms smuggled into the country.
Rabiatou Serah Diallo, left, has demanded the president lift martial law [AFP] |
“We regret the sporadic shooting by uncontrolled elements, sometimes dressed in military uniform,” Kerfala Camara, army chief of staff, told state radio late on Thursday.
It cited other sources as saying at least three women had been raped by uniformed personnel, including soldiers.
Negotiations
Camara told the Associated Press news agency that a commission had been formed to look into the allegations of abuse but warned that the unions must reach an agreement with the government before martial law would be lifted.
“The state of siege will never be lifted before negotiations find a solution,” but could be “re-examined if there’s a change in people’s behaviour,” he said.
The two sides are planning to meet on Saturday after they failed to reach a deal on Thursday.
Rabiatou Serah Diallo, a union leader, had demanded that Conte lift martial law to stop the suffering of Guinea’s people. She said she was not asking for Conte to step down, but to honour his agreement and name a new prime minister, Mohamed Cheikh, deputy spokesman for the majority party in the national assembly, said.