Protests in Guinea

On Monday the 28th of September, protests erupted in Guinea's capital Canakry, following the indication by de facto leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara that, contrary to his original pledge, he would run for election in January 2010. Between 80 and 160 people were killed with at least 1200 thought to be injured. It has been further alleged that a number of women were raped by troops.

Camara took power in a bloodless coup in 2008 following the death of the President. Events were condemned by, amongst others, the African Union, European Union, United States and former colonial power France. His premiership appeared, at its genesis, to have popular support but has since been marked by eccentric displays of power, corruption, nepotism and close relations with individuals linked to the drugs trade.

'Amnesty International is calling for an international commission of inquiry to investigate. (It) also called for an immediate halt to all supplies of security and police equipment to the Guinean government until it has taken practical steps to prevent violations by the security forces and has brought those responsible for Monday's acts to justice.'

Some particularly shocking accounts of the protests:

“The soldiers ripped the skirts off the women, leaving them naked. They hit them with truncheons and Kalashnikovs. I saw two soldiers throw a woman on to the ground and publicly rape her in view of the demonstrators. I was afraid. I saw a soldier rape a naked woman with his truncheon.”

“A young person, aged about 18, wearing a Lacoste t-shirt and blue jeans, fell, other people trampled him underfoot, he tried to get up, he hit the ground and moved his head. A soldier asked for him to be ’finished off’ and another soldier took out a dagger and cut his throat.”

Source: Amnesty International USA (also see for Amnesty's response)

Other sources for information on the protests and their historical context:
The protests: BBC, Guardian
Historical context: BBC, CIA World Factbook
Recent developments: Guinea opposition rejects unity bid, Guinea protests 'will continue'