In a stunning turn of events, the former head of Guinea’s 2008 military junta, Moussa Dadis Camara, orchestrated a daring escape from prison in Conakry during the early hours of Saturday. This audacious breakout, which sent shockwaves across the nation, was executed with the assistance of armed men who stormed the prison facility. Joining Camara in his dramatic escape were three other high-ranking officers, as confirmed by the country’s Justice Minister, Charles Alphonse Wright.
The daring prison break unfolded against a backdrop of heavy gunfire that erupted in the Kaloum district of the capital, Conakry. This alarming incident, a testament to the ongoing instability in the region, left the nation on edge.
Among the high-profile escapees were Claude Pivi and Blaise Goumou, whose sudden freedom raises serious concerns about the implications for Guinea’s fragile political landscape. In the wake of these events, Justice Minister Wright issued a stern warning, stating, “We will find them, and those responsible will be held accountable.” The government has also taken immediate action to secure the nation’s borders, preventing the escapees from fleeing the country.
Residents living in the vicinity of Kaloum reported that the sound of gunshots reverberated through the area at approximately 4 a.m. local time. Subsequently, security measures were significantly reinforced throughout the streets, and access to Kaloum was tightly restricted. While the situation remained fluid, the capital gradually regained a semblance of calm by late morning. However, military presence remained prominent in certain areas, with soldiers instructing citizens to remain in their homes.
Moussa Dadis Camara, who ascended to power through a coup d’état in 2008, had been detained in connection with a stadium massacre during his brief tenure as the nation’s leader. Camara vehemently denied any responsibility for the tragic events and had lived in exile for years after narrowly surviving an assassination attempt. His unexpected return to Guinea in late 2021 had already caused considerable turmoil.
It is worth noting that Guinea is currently under the governance of military leader Mamady Doumbouya, who seized power in a coup in 2021. This development is part of a wider trend in West and Central Africa, where several countries, including Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Gabon, are now under the control of military officers. The situation continues to evolve, and the international community closely monitors these events.
By Reuters
