Guinea's Ex-Leader Camara Granted Pardon After Massive Stadium Massacre

Guinea's ex-military leader, Moussa Dadis Camara, has been pardoned after serving less than a year of a 20-year sentence for his role in a deadly stadium massacre in 2009 that resulted in over 150 deaths and numerous rapes, while discussions for compensation to victims continue.

Guinea’s ruling military junta has unexpectedly granted a pardon to former military leader Moussa Dadis Camara, who had been serving a 20-year sentence for crimes against humanity related to one of the nation's most horrific events, the 2009 stadium massacre. This decision, announced via a decree on state television, cites health issues as the reason for the pardon.

During the catastrophic events of September 2009, troops under Camara’s command violently attacked tens of thousands of civilians gathered in a stadium in Conakry, leading to the deaths of over 150 individuals, as well as the widespread rape of women and girls. Camara, who initially seized power in a coup following the death of President Lansana Conté in 2008, had previously fled the country after surviving an assassination attempt.

After returning to Guinea in 2022, Camara was put on trial alongside seven military commanders. Their trial, which lasted 22 months, culminated in their convictions in July 2024. The recent pardon follows the military government’s announcement of compensation payments for massacre victims, ordered by the court, emphasizing a commitment to address the grievances from this dark chapter in Guinea's history.

According to reports from Justice Info, the proposed compensation breakdown includes payments of $173,000 for each rape victim, $115,500 for individuals who were killed or disappeared, $57,000 for theft cases, and $23,000 for torture victims. Camara’s brother, Jean Dadis Camara, expressed relief over the pardon, stating that “everyone is happy” and voicing gratitude towards the current president.

The political landscape of Guinea remains tumultuous, having experienced a shift to civilian rule after Camara's coup, which was eventually followed by a military coup in September 2021 after public protests against President Alpha Condé's controversial third term. As Guinea navigates these turbulent waters, the implications of Camara’s release and the government’s plans for compensating victims will be closely monitored both nationally and internationally.