Massacre of September 28 in Guinea: Moussa Dadis Camara continues to deny responsibility

2022-12-19T17:40:44.474Z

Fourth appearance of Moussa Dadis Camara at the trial of the massacre of September 28, 2009. He was president of the transition at the time of the bloody repression of the opposition in the biggest stadium…

Massacre of September 28 in Guinea: Moussa Dadis Camara continues to deny responsibility

Dadis Camara at the September 28, 2009 trial, the former head of the military junta in power at the time of the September 28 massacre, was called to give his version of the facts, Monday, December 12, 2022. © AFPTV

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

Fourth appearance of Moussa Dadis Camara in the trial of the massacre of September 28, 2009. He was president of the transition at the time of the bloody repression of the opposition in the largest stadium in Conakry.

In the criminal court of Dixinn, Moussa Dadis Camara continued, this Monday, December 19, to deny any responsibility.

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With our correspondent in Conakry

Matthias Raynal

Much more composed than last week, the former head of state came to the bar this Monday morning, dressed in a large light blue boubou.

“

I hope you are well today, Mr.
Camara

,” the president of the court, Ibrahima Sory 2 Tounkara, asks him at the start of the hearing.

Moussa Dadis Camara has visibly changed strategy.

With Olympian calm now, he replies in a soft voice: “

Yes, by the grace of God.

“While his appearance was interrupted six days ago to allow him to treat a loss of voice, the accused seems to have fully recovered.

The one who was at the time the president of the transition, but also "

commander in chief of the armed forces

" denies any involvement in the massacre.

I did not intend to send the troops at this time, knowing that the police and the gendarmerie have this sovereign mission

[of maintaining order]", assures the former head of state.

“

I never sent elements to the September 28 stadium,

” he insists.

The prosecutor relaunches him, as president: “

You don't think you should use all your powers to stop the carnage
?

Moussa Dadis Camara kicks in touch: “

Thanks to what magic ring could I prevent this
?

“, he retorts.

"
I don't remember
"

According to his version, he would have been made aware of the massacre after the facts were committed, except that the killings continued for a good part of the day on September 28, 2009 and the prosecutor reminded him of it.

When asked why, in the following days, Moussa Dadis Camara mentioned the victims very little in his official statements, the former head of the junta no longer knows what to answer.

He explains that he was “

in shock

”.

“

Do you remember if the flags were lowered
?
Have you declared a day of national mourning
?

asks the prosecutor.

The answer echoes in the silent courtroom: “

I don't remember.

Read also: Trial of September 28 in Guinea: Moussa Dadis Camara claims to be the victim of a "conspiracy"

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