You know the phrase, “I’m here for a good time not a long time”? These words certainly capture the spirit of this hero’s short but memorable time in office.
Moussa Dadis Camara was born in a remote town in southeast Guinea. He had a reasonably uneventful childhood so we’ll just skip over it. Dadis did manage to complete a degree in law and economics at the University of Conakry, before joining the army.
He did well at that; so well, in fact, that he was appointed Chief of Fuels. Whatever that means. It sounds important, ok. And its form over substance with a lot of these things anyway.
He excelled at that role too and was appointed as the Head of the Fuel Supplies Unit. Again, not a clue what this means but it must have been quite THE promotion.
In 2008, with his newly acquired title, and maybe realising that he’d likely peaked, Dadis (together with a group of other soldiers) hatched a plan to launch a coup against the sitting government.
And there’s absolutely no greater sign that you’re all about the vibes than overthrowing the government at Christmas.
It all began when it was announced on the 23rd of December that President Conte had died. It only took 6 hours for Dadis and the vultures to smell blood and formally announce that the military was taking over the government.
What this meant was that all institutions were dissolved forthwith. The Constitution too would be discarded like the worthless piece of scrap paper that it was.
Dadis and friends claimed that the intervention was necessary to curb the corruption and poverty that plagued the cowntry. True as that was, its interesting that these guys never complained about any of that while Conte was alive.
Anyway, the guys assured Guineans that they would only hold power for 2 years, after which they’d make way for a civilian government. They also guaranteed that they wouldn’t accept bribes and in fact would prosecute anyone who tried to corrupt them.
And given the history of “military-assisted interventions” in Africa, there was absolutely no reason not to believe them.
It wasn’t long, however, before the trappings of power started to entice our dear Dadis. Our friend, being something of a media maven, hosted his own late night TV show - kind of like the Tonight Show, but actually interesting.
In hours long rants that had more twists and turns than a Live Instagram session of Quarantine Radio, Dadis would cuss out and denigrate his enemies - which included foreign detractors, saboteurs and even members of his own “cabinet”, make vague and non-specific promises about reform and stuff, and generally defecate on the idea of free (and quality) speech. Riveting television
In August 2009, Dadis announced that there would be presidential and parliamentary elections the following year. Despite earlier promises that he and other members of the junta would not compete in them, rumours were spreading that Dadis intended to “run” for president.
The only trouble was that the people didn’t want him.
The 28th of September 2009 saw a widespread protest led by the opposition and citizens who evidently loved their nation so much that they were willing to get off their Twitter soapboxes and actually “do something”. These guys’ demands were simple: Camara should step down. And now.
The demonstration was meant to reach its ebb at the stadium in Conakry, where opposition leaders were to...give rousing speeches, recline on leather couches on platforms shielded from the rain while the hapless but supportive povo were drenched in the terraces.
I assume.
Sadly, none of that would happen.
As the rain bucketed down inauspiciously in Conakry, the crowd within the stadium increased in size and fervour. Chants of “Libertie!” rang through the crispy air as what appeared to be the spirit of revolution descended on the expectant multitude.
Unbeknownst to them, however, buses packed with members of Dadis’s youth militia and the regular army roaring towards the scene of the protest; and these kids were high, pissed off and ready to loot, vandalize and beat the crap out of anyone who even looked like they might be involved in the uprising.
It wasn’t long before the jubilant cries of protest were replaced by shrieks and screams as a volley of teargas was launched into the stadium. Moments later, the presidential guard, youthies and security forces entered the scene, shooting live ammunition and ready to dislocate spines.
As people fled - or tried to - some had their limbs shred by bullets, while others were trampled in the stampede. Scores of women were repeatedly raped by Dadis in public, with some being hauled off to become sex slaves. Those who were lucky either escaped or took refuge in the stadium’s changing rooms, hiding to the soundtrack of the screams from outside.
All told, at least 156 were killed on that day with thousands more injured.
Which wasn’t exactly a good look for Dadis. The “international community” were quick to condemn the regime and slap several members of the junta with sanctions.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) even got involved, a sure sign that Guinea was now a full on pariah. Because, I mean...when ECOWAS is telling you that you’re wildin’, you maybe want to reassess your behaviour.
If you think that any of this was enough to get Dadis to apologise, let alone step down...don’t be ridiculous. No, getting rid of Dadis required a more...drastic...approach.
And a drastic approach was coming.
In December 2009, while visiting army barracks, Dadis was shot in the head. By his own bodyguard.
This probably needs some explaining. So you know how Dadis’s militia had slaughtered people like cows at an abattoir in that Conakry stadium? Apparently, Dadis’s bodyguard, Aboubacar Diakite, had been the one leading the charge, allegedly commanding the state machinery to “Kill them all”.
Well after that happened, the UN launched an investigation. Word on the street was that Dadis was perfectly okay with the idea of Diakite taking all the blame for the events in Conakry.
And lets just say, Diakite didn’t like that.
Just his luck though because the bullet didn’t inflict fatal injuries. Man had one job! Dadis survived, but had to be ferried away to get treatment in a state of the art hospital - outside Guinea, of course. Meantime, Diakite went into hiding. Its not clear whether this was out of fear of reprisal or just shame for being such a terrible marksman.
The deputy leader of the junta took over, again promising to hand over to a civilian government. Surprise, surprise...he actually did. In elections held in 2010, vocal opposition leader, Alpha Conde, won 58% of the vote and became Guinea’s first elected president.
But this isn’t a fairy tale, kids.
Conde himself has been implicated in a number of corruption scandals since becoming President. Not to mention the election rigging. In fact, Conde has just won another term in office by a “landslide” in an election marred by constitutional higi haga, violence and irregularities.
This video of my man dancing to the national anthem thinking its his party’s song tells you everything you need to know about how things are going in Guinea at the moment.
Sources:
コメント