- The European Union is planning to impose visa ban and arms embargo against Guinea’s junta in reaction to a massacre of more than 150 people at a political rally in September.
The bloc’s meeting of foreign ministers in Luxembourg starting Monday, is expected among others to debate on serious atrocities perpetrated by the junta during the massacre last month. It is also expected to come up with the stance about the current political situation in Guinea.
According to an official sources from the bloc, the EU is currently drawing up a list of the military junta leaders to be included on the visa ban. EU is also considering to free some of the assets of the leaders, the source has said.
The EU’s plan backs the West African leaders decision to place an arms embargo on Guinea, fearing political instability.
In September, the presidential guard troops opened fire on tens of thousands of demonstrators at a pro-democracy rally, urging junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara not to stand in elections planned for January.
The UN and other Guinean human rights group said more than 150 people were killed, while the government said only 57 died.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has announced a plan to conduct a preliminary inquiry to determine if war crimes were committed in the September crackdown. It said preliminary examination of the situation has been immediately initiated in order to determine whether crimes falling under the Court’s jurisdiction have been perpetrated.
The international pressure is also mounting on Guinea’s leadership following the announcement by Captain Camara to contest national polls scheduled for January next year.
The Guinean government was ousted by Captain Moussa Dadis Camara in December last year after the death of president Lansana Conte who ruled the country for more than two decades.
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