The UN Security Council on Wednesday approved the creation of a commission of inquiry to look into the 28 September massacres in Guinea. The goal of the inquiry is to determine those responsible for the massacres. The same day was marked by a strike action under the theme “a day without work”. The initiative, launched by women of “les forces vives” (a coalition of political parties and civil society organisations against the junta) in memory of the victims, saw the participation of a vast majority of the population.
The commission of inquiry, approved Wednesday by the United Nations, has been tasked to settle the question over who ordered the 28 September massacres in Guinea. In unison with the African Union, a statement released by the UN has also asked for the establishment of a new interim authority in the country as well as a ban on the junta from taking part in next January’s elections. On its part, Guinea has undertaken to ensure the safety of the UN Commission of inquiry and also to allow them perform their duties under the best conditions.
Hot seat
The international Human Rights organisation, Human Rights Watch (HRW), Wednesday noted that the gruesome massacres had been “organised and premeditated.” The NGO has also indicated that it is in possession of evidence that proves the ruling junta’s plan to conceal the scale of the massacres. According to testimonies collected by members of the organisation, Captain Dadis Camara’s entourage is directly involved. His aide, Aboubacar Toumba Diakite is believed to have personally ordered the bloody operations from within the stadium.
Strike
In the country, the women’s wing of “forces vives” (a coalition of political parties and civil society organisations against the junta) Wednesday called for a strike action themed “a day without work” to express their compassion and solidarity with female victims, including those who were brutally gang raped during the September 28 massacres.
The call to strike was honoured by the majority of the Guinean population. In the city of Conakry, most shops, petrol stations and banks were closed, while only a handful of cars were seen on the streets.
A number of public institutions, including public schools decided to close their doors earlier than planned. Some observers have revealed the junta’s disapproval of the strike action and the general paralysis it caused. Warning the Guinean population a day before the strike, the junta had said that anyone who did not report to work would be held accountable.
