Guinea – Violence Against Women

Following up on yesterday’s post on human rights and discrimination against women in Muslim countries, I came across reports of violence against women in Guinea, a Muslim country.

First, a little information on Guinea.  This was previously a French colony in the African continent, but in 1958 Guinea became an independant country. Guinea has a population of around 10 million, is rich in diamonds, gold, iron, and bauxites. But riches in the ground did not benefit the people, who remain one of the poorest in the world.  Instead, successive rulers have pillaged the country’s resources for their own benefits. 

On December 22 2008, President Lansana Conte died after a reign of close to 25 years. A day later, an unknown Capt. Moussa “Dadis” Camara and his men stormed the state TV station, tore up the country’s Constitution, and announced that Guinea is now under military rule. 

Coup leader Moussa Camara fixed January 31, 2010 as the date for presidential elections, and declared that he himself would not run in the election. He declared war on corruption, put top government officials on TV, where they detailed their roles in a lucrative international cocaine trade in Guinea. On these premises, thousands of Guineans welcomed Moussa Camara.

But things began to turn bad when Moussa Camara, who in the meantime had installed himself as President, had a change of mind.  Apparently enjoying the taste of his new found power, Moussa Camara began to backpedal – he said that he had a right to run for the presidential election if he so chooses. Indeed he later declared himself a candidate.

The opposition organized a series of rallies to protest Moussa Camara’s candidacy in the presidential election.  On September 28, 2009 the opposition mobilized 50,000 supporters at a football stadium in defiance of a ban imposed by the junta, with protestors shouting “We want true democracy.”

But things went horribly wrong at this protest rally. Without warning, troops fired on the protestors, killing 157 and injuring 1,200 people. Then as protestors scattered in shock, running for safety, the soldiers chased after them, targeting especially women. Innocent women were assualted with rifles and raped. Unfortunately for the soldiers, these acts of brutality were captured on cellphone cameras and quickly appeared on cyberspace.

Sidya Touré, a former prime minister who was also beaten at the stadium said:  “Women as battlefield targets. We could never have imagined that. Where could people get the idea to start raping women in broad daylight? It’s so contrary to our culture. To molest women using rifle barrels. … ”

François Lonsény Fall, another former prime minister who was at the stadium said: “They especially tore into the women. They were seeking to humiliate them.  We want a force of intervention to protect us from the ferocity of the Guinean Army.”

Mechanic Mohammed Bangoura said: “Dadis Camara’s political career, if he had any ambition, is gone. He has made an own goal. The killing of all these innocent protesters can only mean doom for his political ambition.”

In the face of this backlash from the public and international condemnation, Moussa Camara tried to distance himself from the events at the stadium. He described the actions of the army during the rally as “out of control”. Colonel Cherif Abdoulaye Diaby, the health minister went so far as to say that no one has complained of rape in any hospital.

Then, trying to cling on to power, Moussa Camara warned that the army would stage another coup if he were to step down or forced out of office.

Meanwhile, the Guinean Human Rights Association is helping women who come forward to take legal action. And doctors are appealing on local radio for women to come forward and receive HIV/AIDS tests and care.

Think about it.  Why are Muslims fighting Muslims in a Muslim country?  Why the assualt by the army soldiers on women, followed bytortures,  rapes and gang rapes? Doesn’t this violence against women – in this case, against Muslim women – speaks volume of how these Muslim soldiers treat their womenfolks? And who gave the order to fire on the protestors? What crime will the guilty soldiers be charged with?  

Earlier post:

How Muslim Countries Deal With Human Rights And Discrimination Against Women