Luc Gnago/Reuters
Moussa Dadis Camara is accused of spearheading a massacre and mass rape during a pro-democracy rally in September 2009, an allegation he denies.
CNN
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The former head of Guinea’s 2008 military junta, Moussa Dadis Camara, has been recaptured following his escape from prison on Saturday, according to an announcement by Guinea’s Ministry of Defense.
Camara was sprung from prison by heavily armed men in Conakry in the early hours of Saturday along with three other high-ranking officers, revealed Justice Minister Charles Wright.
According to the Ministry of Defense, two of the three high-ranking officers — Moussa Tiegboro Camara and Blaise Gomou — have also been recaptured, while the third officer, Colonel Claude Pivi, remains at large.
The recaptured escapees are now back at Maison Centrale de Conakry, a federal prison in Guinea’s capital, and reported to be “safe and sound,” as stated by the Ministry of Defense.
The Ministry of Defense assured that all necessary security measures are in place to find the remaining fugitive and urged citizens to continue their daily activities without fear.
According to local residents, military vehicles and special forces were seen patrolling the streets of Conakry after gunshots were heard in the Kaloum administrative district, where Camara and others were held at the Central House prison.
Justice Minister Charles Wright described the incident, stating, “It was around 05:00 a.m. (01:00 a.m. ET) that heavily armed men burst into the Central House of Conakry. They managed to leave with four defendants in the trial of the events of Sept. 28, including Captain Moussa Dadis Camara.”
Further details of the investigation were not provided by the minister, who assured that the fugitive will be found and brought to justice.
In an effort to prevent the escapees from leaving the country, Guinea has closed its borders, according to the Minister of Defense.
Moussa Dadis Camara and others have been on trial since last year for their alleged involvement in a stadium massacre and mass rape, where 150 people were killed during a pro-democracy rally on September 28, 2009.
Camara has repeatedly denied responsibility for the atrocities, putting the blame on errant soldiers instead.
Residents near Kaloum reported hearing gunshots around 04:00 a.m. local time (12:00 a.m. ET), after which security measures were increased and access to the Kaloum district was restricted.
By late morning, the situation in the capital was calm, although soldiers were still present in certain areas and residents were advised to stay at home, according to Mmah Camara, a resident of the Tombo district.
Guinea is currently under the leadership of military ruler Mamady Doumbouya, who came to power in a coup in 2021, joining other West and Central African countries that have experienced military takeovers in recent years, such as Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Gabon.
