Massacre of September 28 in Guinea: Moussa Dadis Camara continues to deny responsibility
Dadis Camara at the September 28, 2009 trial, the former head of the military junta in power at the time of the September 28 massacre, was called to give his version of the facts, Monday, December 12, 2022. © AFPTV
Text by: RFI Follow
5 mins
Fourth appearance of Moussa Dadis Camara in the trial of the massacre of September 28, 2009. He was president of the transition at the time of the bloody repression of the opposition in the largest stadium in Conakry.
In the criminal court of Dixinn, Moussa Dadis Camara continued, this Monday, December 19, to deny any responsibility.
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Much more composed than last week, the former head of state came to the bar this Monday morning, dressed in a large light blue boubou.
"
I hope you are well today, Mr.
Camara
", asks him the president of the court, Ibrahima Sory 2 Tounkara, at the start of the hearing, reports our correspondent in Conakry,
Matthias Raynal
.
Moussa Dadis Camara has visibly changed strategy.
With Olympian calm now, he replies in a soft voice: “
Yes, by the grace of God.
“While his appearance was interrupted six days ago to allow him to treat a loss of voice, the accused seems to have fully recovered.
The one who was at the time the president of the transition, but also "
commander in chief of the armed forces
" denies any involvement in the massacre.
"
I did not intend to send the troops at this time, knowing that the police and the gendarmerie have this sovereign mission
[of maintaining order]", assures the former head of state.
“
I never sent elements to the September 28 stadium,
” he insists.
The prosecutor relaunched him, as president: “
You don't think you should use all your powers to stop the carnage
?
Moussa Dadis Camara kicks in touch: “
Thanks to what magic ring could I prevent this
?
“, he retorts.
"
I don't remember anymore
"
According to his version, he would have been made aware of the massacre after the facts were committed, except that the killings continued for a good part of the day on September 28, 2009 and the prosecutor reminded him of it.
When asked why, in the following days, Moussa Dadis Camara mentioned the victims very little in his official statements, the former head of the junta no longer knows what to answer.
He explains that he was “
in shock
”.
“
Do you remember if the flags were lowered
?
Have you declared a day of national mourning
?
asks the prosecutor.
The answer echoes in the silent courtroom: “
I don't remember.
»
Dadis Camara loses his temper
When the turn of the deputy prosecutor, Djenè Cissé, over her questions, the atmosphere becomes tense in the courtroom.
The exchanges are more and more muscular, until the rupture.
She questions Moussa Dadis Camara: “
Did you know that your regime is called a dictatorship
?
The former junta leader explodes.
The exchanges are lively, Dadis is repeatedly called to order by the president who asks him to calm down.
The former putschist replies: “
I did not do law, but your question, Madam Prosecutor, is not that of a criminal lawyer.
It's not professional.
The hearing is finally suspended.
Back after the break, Moussa Dadis Camara has still not regained his composure.
He now answers questions with arrogance.
After the public prosecutor, the floor is for the civil parties.
Master Alpha Amadou DS Bah begins.
He tries to come back to the actions of the former president of the transition on the day of the massacre, but Moussa Dadis Camara shuts himself up in silence.
He chooses the questions he wants to answer and always repeats the same scenario. On September 28, 2009, he says he was woken up at 10 am by Joseph Makambo, his operations officer.
He is then warned that a "
big demonstration
" is in progress.
Toumba, he says, forces him to stay in his office while the latter leaves for the stadium to commit the massacre.
He couldn't do anything.
This is his version of events.
“
You think being president is being an alien
?
“Launches Dadis in court.
He turns into a moralist and declares: “
Even in a family, no father can say that he can control his children.
»
“
He gives the impression that this case was not a concern for him
”
In his defence, he implicated by name certain opponents of his regime, including Alpha Condé, accused of having "
skillfully orchestrated a plot to oust him from power
", reports our correspondent in
Conkary Mouctar Bah
.
His lawyer, Me Almamy Samory Traoré, also denounces the lack of evidence against his client:
“
He believes that there are leaders who are behind and we will eventually demonstrate it during the procedure.
There are specific facts that are contained in the order for Mr. Camara's referral to the criminal court, these are facts of complicity.
There is no evidence in the file that highlights the responsibility of Dadis
”.
Me Lanciné Sylla finds it disappointing that Captain Dadis Camara hardly answers the questions asked, says counsel for Toumba Diakité, his ex-right-hand man and co-defendant:
“
He gives the impression that this affair of September 28 was not a concern for him, He gives the impression that this affair was handled by his ministers and not by him, which is to be deplored, that is why I find that to be simply disappointing
”.
Shortly after 5 p.m., the hearing is adjourned.
The trial was adjourned to Tuesday, December 20.
Read also: Trial of September 28 in Guinea: Moussa Dadis Camara claims to be the victim of a "conspiracy"
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Moussa Dadis Camara