Friday, December 04, 2009

Guinean Military Coup Leader Flown to Morocco After Being Shot

Guinea Military Leader Flown to Morocco After Being Shot

Posted on Friday 4 December 2009 - 15:00

AfricaNews editor

Guinea's military leader, Capt Moussa Dadis Camara, has been flown to Morocco for medical treatment after being shot by an aide on Thursday, officials have said. They had earlier said that Capt Camara had only been lightly wounded in the attack and was in "good health".

Separate reports say the international airport in the capital Conakry has been surrounded by presidential guards.

This is believed to be the first time Capt Camara has left the country since seizing power last December.

Analysts say he may fear a counter-coup in his absence and so his departure indicates that his condition may be serious.

But this was denied by government minister Keletigui Faro.

"His condition is not very serious but he'll need to undergo extensive medical tests in Morocco," he told the BBC French service for Africa.

Morocco has said it will treat Capt Camara for humanitarian reasons.

He has not been seen in public or appeared on national TV or radio since the shooting.
A Senegalese medical team flew to Guinea to treat him on Thursday night.

The whereabouts of Aboubacar "Toumba" Diakite, the officer allegedly behind the attack, is unclear.
Communications Minister Idrissa Cherif had said he had been arrested after the shooting but reports on Friday say road-blocks have been set up in Conakry by security forces trying to find him.

Maj Faro said Lt Diakite had gone into hiding.

Analysts say the shooting highlights deep rifts within the junta after the killing of an estimated 157 opposition supporters in September.

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