Human Rights Watch Urges Guinean President to Pursue Justice for 2009 Massacre

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Guinean President Mamady Doumbouya to advance accountability for the September 28, 2009, massacre and “lay the groundwork for credible and fair justice” regarding ongoing rights abuses in the country.

This appeal follows the death in custody of Claude Pivi, a former minister for presidential security, on January 6, 2026. Pivi was among several officials convicted in a landmark trial for the killings and rapes committed during the 2009 atrocities.

In July 2024, a Guinean court delivered a historic verdict for this stadium massacre, during which security forces killed 150 individuals and assaulted numerous women in Conakry. The court convicted former leader Moussa Dadis Camara and seven others of crimes against humanity, handing down sentences that ranged from 10 years to life imprisonment.

HRW stated that following Pivi’s death and President Doumbouya’s controversial March 2025 pardon of Dadis Camara, only five of the men convicted for their roles in the massacre remain in custody today. This raises serious concerns about the commitment to justice in a nation still grappling with the ramifications of its traumatic past.

The 2009 massacre stands as one of the darkest chapters in Guinea’s history, and the recent developments have sparked renewed outrage among human rights advocates. Many believe that only through genuine efforts for accountability can the country begin to heal and rebuild trust in its institutions.

As discussions continue about Guinea’s political future, the international community watches closely, emphasizing the urgent need for effective transitional justice mechanisms. The call from HRW signals a critical moment where leadership can either forge a path toward reconciliation or perpetuate cycles of impunity and violence.

In conclusion, as Guinea stands at this crossroads, the actions of President Doumbouya will likely determine the extent to which the nation can confront its past. Upholding justice is not merely a legal obligation; it is a moral imperative that can pave the way for a more just and stable future.

With the memory of September 28, 2009, still etched in the hearts of many, the demand for justice remains a rallying cry for all who aspire to a better tomorrow in Guinea.

By Omer Aden
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.