Former Guinean military leader recaptured after prison escape

In a stunning turn of events, the former leader of Guinea’s military government, Moussa Dadis Camara, who had escaped from the central prison in Conakry on Saturday morning, has been successfully recaptured.

The Guinean armed forces, led by Chief of Staff Ibrahima Sory Bangoura, swiftly apprehended Camara and two other fugitives, bringing them back to the high-security facility.

Chief of Staff Bangoura, in an official statement, confirmed that Mr. Camara is now back in the central prison of Conakry, unharmed and in custody.

The two other fugitives, Col. Moussa Tiegboro Camara and Col. Blaise Gomou, were also apprehended and returned to confinement.

Efforts are now focused on locating the remaining fugitive, Commander Claude Pivi, with the armed forces stating that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure his capture.

The ministry of justice, in response to the audacious escape, has directed the attorney general at the Court of Appeals in Conakry to initiate proceedings against the four detainees who were extricated from the central prison by an armed commando on Saturday.

These detainees include Camara, the former transition president, Tiegboro Camara, the former minister in charge of tackling organized crime and grand banditry at the presidency, Gomou, a former member of the anti-drugs squad, and Pivi, the former minister responsible for presidential security.

Moussa Dadis Camara’s escape from the central prison had raised concerns about potential instability, given his history in the country.

Camara had launched a coup on December 23, 2008, and assumed leadership of the military government. However, he lost power in January 2010 and went into exile abroad.

He resurfaced in Guinea in December 2021, only to face accusations of violently suppressing the protests that occurred in Conakry on September 28, 2009, which resulted in the tragic deaths of over 150 people and more than 1,000 injuries.

This incident has highlighted the ongoing challenges and security issues in Guinea, with authorities striving to maintain order and ensure justice prevails in the face of Camara’s audacious escape and return to custody.

(Sources: Xinhua/NAN)