Guinea killings

This item appears on page 22 of the December 2009 issue.

The Department of State warns against travel to Guinea, as the political situation there remains highly volatile. Although Guinea has been relatively calm since Oct. 5, the potential for violence remains high. 

On Sept. 28, Guinean security forces opened fire on peaceful, pro-democracy demonstrators who had gathered in the national stadium in Conakry to protest plans by military leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, who seized power in a December 2008 coup, to run for president after he said he would not.

The government lists the number of people killed as 57, while human-rights officials argue that the number is at least 150, with dozens of women brutally raped.

The US Embassy in Guinea remains closed until further notice. The international airport in Conakry is operating normally, but flights may be suspended if the security situation worsens. Land borders are open but may close without warning.