By Abdulai Fasineh Dumbuya
Guinean forces have strongly warned Sierra Leoneans not to interfere in their security crackdown following the attack on the Central Prison in Conakry which saw many prisoners including the ex-junta leader, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, freed alongside former Head of Presidential Security, Colonel Claude Pivi.
Captain Camara was soon recaptured but Col.Pivi is still at large.
According to a verified video making rounds on social media, Sierra Lone Police and Guinea forces were at the Gbalamuya border crossing point for its reopening after it was closed as a result of the prison break.
The Guinean officer said that they had arrested three of the four prisoners being sought and that the other believed to Col. Pivi is moving with a handful of people.
“For the sake of peace and tranquility between Sierra Leone and Guinea, we have received a command from our president to reopen the border. I want everybody to be watchful especially vehicles coming in and going out of Guinea,” the officer said.
Under the terms of the agreement, the officer warned Sierra Leoneans not to interfere in the recent break in the security sector in Guinea, emphasizing that “we are friends and brothers and sisters and I appealed to you all to be security for each other”.
Speaking to Politico, a Sierra Leonean security oficer deployed at the Gbalamuya border Inspector Abu Bakarr Smart Dumbuya said that the border between Guinea and Sierra Leone officially opened on Sunday, 5th November 2023, after it was closed on Saturday between 6.30 and 6.45am before it was reopened on Sunday by 4. 10 pm.
“There is no accusation against the government of Sierra Leone or its citizens for any interference into the Guinean issue,” he said.
He said that the Guinean forces have issued a warning to Sierra Leoneans to stay off their involvement in Guinean matters, emphasizing that no Sierra Leoneans should help any of the people who are on the run..
Captain Camara’s lawyers denied that he had any intention to escape, claiming that he was kidnapped.
According to the statement published by the Prosecutor General of Guinea Yamoussa Conte, the incident claimed nine lives and left six others injured.
He added that legal actions would be taken against all the escapees, including the named and unnamed. He said an investigation is ongoing to probe the cause of the break and who spearheaded the scheme.
Many of the alleged escapees are currently undergoing trial for the massacre of over 150peaceful protesters at the national stadium in the Guinean capital, Conakry, on 28 September 2009.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (08/11/23)
