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Guinea junta calls for national unity government
Admin - Sep 30, 09
http://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/guinea-junta-calls-for-national-unity-government-1
CONAKRY September 30, 2009 (Reuters) - Guinea's ruling military junta called on Wednesday for a government of national unity to be formed and for an international inquiry into a bloody crackdown on
opponents in the West African country earlier this week.The ruling National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD), led by Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, has faced a storm of international criticism after a local rights group said security forces killed 157 people during an opposition rally on Monday.
"The CNDD asks for ... the formation of a government of national unity integrating members of different political parties and tasked with the transition," presidency official Mandjou Deoubate said on state television.
The junta, which seized power in the world's biggest bauxite exporter in a bloodless coup last December, called for an African leader to be appointed mediator, and for "a national and international commission of enquiry with the United Nations to shine a light onto the events of January and February 2007, and September 28 2009," Deoubate said.
More than 180 people were killed in a general strike and protests against then President Lansana Conte in early 2007.
Camara and the CNDD stepped into the power vacuum that opened after Conte died, initially winning popularity by promising elections by the end of the year, and to fight corruption and the illegal drugs trade.
Since then, that timetable has slipped, and international bodies have urged Camara to give assurances he would not stand for president, which he has not done.
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