Guinea has detained two ex-leaders over corruption allegations prosecutors revealed on Thursday, as the ruling junta intensifies its ongoing crackdown on prominent figures who are reportedly close to ousted president Alpha Conde.
Africa Today News, New York recalls that a former special forces commander, Colonel Mamady Doumbouya had sometime last year seized power while accusing Conde of corruption and authoritarianism.
A prosecutor at a special court for financial crimes (CRIEF) on Thursday disclosed that a former parliament speaker Amadou Damaro Camara and ex-electoral chief Louceny Camara, who also served as tourism minister, were ‘sent to prison’.
According to the prosecutor whose name was given as Aly Toure, they were charged with allegations related to embezzlement of public funds, illicit enrichment, money laundering as well as outright corruption, told the media.
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Several sources have confirmed that the two men are senior figures in the RPG party of Conde.
During opposition protests in 2018 in parts of the capital that were violently repressed, Damara Camara called for demonstrations to be quashed with firearms rather than truncheons.
With the latest arrests, the junta has targeted at least nine senior leaders from the former regime including eight ex-ministers.
One of those still held is former prime minister Ibrahima Kassory Fofana, accused of embezzlement.
Africa Today News, New York recalls that the 84 year old Conde, was forced out in September last year by mutinous troops amid fierce protests over his successful bid for a third term.
In 2010 he became the first democratically elected president in the country’s history. But his popularity dived in his second term as critics accused him of authoritarianism.
The ruling junta has promised to combat endemic corruption in the impoverished West African state but has also insisted it would not launch a witch hunt.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK