Massacre, Murders, Molestation: Guinea puts its ex-President on trial after 13 years

In the hope of seeing long-delayed justice, Guinea has begun a historic trial against its former President and 10 other accused in a 13-year-old case. On September 28, 2009, the military massacred protesters in a stadium, killing at least 157 of them and raping numerous women.

In Guinea's capital Conakry, a new courtroom was constructed for the trial against the country's ex-President, Moussa Dadis Camara.

Many human rights experts see the case as a test for a West African country in holding army officers to account.  

Recap September 28, 2009: 

(Trigger Warning: Rape, Violence)

• At around 11.30 am, several hundreds of Guinea's security forces burst into a stadium in Guinea's capital, Conakry, and opened fire on tens of thousands of people.
• By late afternoon there were at least 150 dead in and around the stadium complex. 

• These people had gathered at Conakry stadium to protest at a pro-democratic rally against the then-coup leader, Moussa Dadis Camara. 
• After the massacre, Human Rights Watch released a 108-page report, titled it 'Bloody Monday', showcasing testimonies from witnesses.

The witnesses narrated what they saw with their own eyes:

• Women who were raped said that they were pulled from hiding places in the stadium, including from under chairs, and raped, often by multiple men from the security forces. 
• Others said that they saw four women shot after being sexually assaulted. 

Then: The security forces planned a cover-up of their crimes by blocking off the stadium and morgue entrances, and taking the bodies away to be buried in mass graves.

How authorities in Guinea and across the world responded to the massacre: Not all Guinean authorities were part of this mass murder plan, and some stood by their fellow Guineans.

• For example, the then Foreign Minister Alexandre Cécé Loua met the ICC (International Criminal Courts) to help get justice for the victims.  

What Guinea did: Guinean authorities committed to ensuring justice for the crimes, and opened an investigation in early 2010. However, many obstacles impeded its progress and made the route to justice slow and inconsistent. 

Many organisations and NGOs were also formed just to ensure justice for the September 28, 2009 victims and gain the world's attention.  

What was the first day of the 2022 trial like? According to Reuters, the judge called each accused to the bar at the beginning of the trial.

• In the packed courtroom, murder, attempted murder, rape, torture, and theft charges were read out live. 

However, following a request from both the victims' and accused's lawyers, the judge adjourned the case to October 4 to give them time to familiarise themselves with the charge sheet.

Victims entering the courthouse for the 2009 stadium massacre trial opening in #Guinea, thirteen years after the crimes were committed. pic.twitter.com/VADPW91NOE

— Elise Keppler (@EliseKeppler) September 28, 2022

Big week for African justice – The Hague trial of Rwanda Genocide suspect Félicien #Kabuga. #Guinea trial of ex-Prez Dadis Camara for 2009 massacre. #ICC, trial of #CAR Rebel Leader. And #Chad announces $14.7million reparations to #HisseneHabré’s victims pic.twitter.com/kYmXnR37Zu

— Reed Brody 🧣⚖️ (@ReedBrody) September 29, 2022

UN chief @antonioguterres is calling on authorities in #Guinea to ensure the trail against 11 accused of responsibility for crimes committed in a 2009 stadium massacre, follow due process, so justice can finally be served with reparations for victimshttps://t.co/xNJCmDJBSA

— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) September 29, 2022

The bigger picture: The results of the trial, many suspect, will be unprecedented because Guinea is still ruled by a military government, which is overseeing the trial. This list of Guinea's military leaders also includes the current military head, Col Mamady Doumbouya, a US-trained officer who staged a coup last year.