News / Africa

Guinea Union Leaders Say They Will Strike if Demands Not Met

TEXT SIZE - +
Ricci Shryock

Guinea labor union leaders said they will respond with unspecified action if the full story on the health of ruling military leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara is not disclosed. 

Women and young people demonstrated at labor-union headquarters in Conakry, asking leaders not call a strike Tuesday.  The group, mainly made up of military wives, said the country is tired of protests and strikes.

The labor unions have threatened to take unspecified action if the military junta does not disclose the health status of the country's ruling leader, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara.

Guinea Minister of Presidential Security Claude Pivi also addressed the union leaders.

Pivi said the military is trying to secure the population, and he asked that Guineans not move around without their ID cards.

But National Confederation of Guinean Workers President Hadja Rabiatou Diallo lamented the demonstration.

Diallo said she felt pity for the youth and women demonstrating, because they were being manipulated by the security forces. 

Captain Camara was shot by the former head of the presidential guard, Abubakar "Toumba" Diakite, on December 3rd.  He has not been seen since being evacuated to Morocco for emergency treatment.

Defense Minister Sekouba Konate has taken charge of Guinea's military government, calling for discipline.  Konate went to Morocco to visit Captain Camara in the hospital, but made no official statement about his health.

The military took control of the West African country in a bloodless coup in December 2008.

After a ruling-council decision declaring soldiers eligible to stand for election, opposition against Captain Camara began to grow.  The labor unions have been an essential part of the opposition coalition that includes civil society groups and political parties

At least 157 people were killed September 28 when soldiers opened fire on thousands of protesters demonstrating against a potential Camara presidential candidacy. 

A U.N. inquiry says the violence amounts to a crime against humanity that is directly attributable to the military government, including Captain Camara, who blamed political opponents and "uncontrollable elements" of the military.

Diakite says Captain Camara tried to blame him for the violence, so he shot him in the head and escaped with a small group of soldiers.  
 

You May Like

Pakistan Reiterates Opposition to US Drone Strikes

Day earlier US President Barack Obama justified 'constrained' drone usage to save lives More

Study Identifies Risks of Human Spread of H7N9 Bird Flu

Study suggest that international measures to contain the H7N9 influenza, in the event of severe outbreak, will need to be targeted in Asia More

Violence Continues in Conakry Over Upcoming Elections

Opposition has called for boycott of elections More

Video Syria's Civil War Fuels Violence in Iraq

Analysts say al-Qaida-linked militants are flowing back and forth from both countries More

Video Star Trek Influence Lives Long and Prospers

As new movie thrills, many are once again discussing the iconic franchise's influence on society, science and technology More

OECD: Developing Green Cities Key to Sustainable Future

OECD suggests strategies to mitigate rapid growth, industrialization in urban centers, which produce about two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions More

This forum has been closed.
Comments
     
There are no comments in this forum. Be first and add one

Featured Videos

Your JavaScript is turned off or you have an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.
Your JavaScript is turned off or you have an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.
Video

Video Volunteers Help Revive LA's Concrete River

The Los Angeles River is a concrete drainage channel through much of its 80-kilometer length. It channels waste-water from storm drains and has become a receptacle for much of the city's trash. But as Mike O'Sullivan reports, the river is slowly being restored with the help of volunteers, who take part in an annual clean-up.