'Camara must step down'
2009-10-07 10:58
Conakry - Guinea's opposition on Tuesday called for the country's junta chief to step down and for the arrest of those responsible for killing some 150 protesters before entering talks, a statement said.
The opposition said its first condition for participating in talks is "the resignation of the junta leader, the dissolution of the National Council for Democracy and Development (junta) and the setting up of a transitional organ that will appoint a government of national unity", the statement said.
The opposition forum, comprised of political parties, unions and civil society organisations, also called for the arrest of those responsible for the September 28 massacre when Guinean troops opened fire on protesters in a Conakry stadium.
The demonstrators had gathered to rally against the prospect of junta leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara becoming a candidate in January presidential elections.
Rights groups and the United Nations say more than 150 people were killed and women were raped by soldiers in the crackdown. The authorities have given a death toll of 56, while Camara has denied responsibility for the bloodbath.
- SAPA