WCL Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law Convenes Panel of Experts on Recent Surge of 
Violence in Guinea
In response to the recent outbreak of violence in Guinea, the WCL Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law assembled a panel discussion that took place Wednesday, Oct. 14 in the sixth floor student lounges.
The panel of experts included Jonathan Elliott (pictured, at right), Africa Advocacy Director at Human Rights Watch, who was able to attend in person. Adam Nossiter, the New York Times West Africa bureau chief and Thierno Balde '01, '03, WCL Alumnus and President of the Board of Directors of the Institute on Democracy and Rule of Law in Guinea were both reached via phone in Guinea.
On Sept. 28, a crowd of peaceful demonstrators had assembled at a stadium in Conakry, the Guinean capital. The group was demonstrating against Moussa Dadis Camara, the leader of Guinea's ruling military junta. Camara's soldiers opened fire on the crowd killing at least 157 people and injuring over 1,000. Many of the female demonstrators were reportedly sexually assaulted by Camara's soldiers.
At the WCL event, Elliott, Nossiter, and Balde combined to give a picture of the feeling on the streets in Guinea, as well as the larger implications of the unrest and what it could mean for the future stability of the region.
Balde described a scene of tense quiet, where it seems locals were waiting to find out what’s coming next. He indicated that the Guinean people were mobilized and prepared to head into the streets. Balde has been a frequent commentator in Guinea on these clashes.
Nossiter predicted that the country could go into lockdown, in effect precluding any sort of public demonstration. He also said that if indeed there is demonstration, it could lead to significant bloodshed in Guinea. He was hopeful that the military leaders would want to avoid this scenario, but wasn't counting on international intervention as a possible solution.
Elliott agreed, saying that the "international community's lack of a true stake in Guinea makes intervention unlikely at this stage."
Elliott also provided historical context of the current state of Guinea, its current struggle with drug trafficking, and the country’s richness in natural resources as a leading producer of Bauxite, which the country's leaders had long failed to leverage into wider prosperity for the Guinean economy.
