Guinea ex-dictator sentenced

A Guinean court has sentenced former junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara to 20 years in prison for crimes against humanity related to the 2009 massacre at a political rally in Conakry, where at least 156 people were killed and 109 women were raped. The trial, which lasted nearly two years, also involved seven other officials who received sentences up to life imprisonment. The proceedings were marked by tight security and were broadcast live, reflecting the historic significance of holding a military ruler accountable for such atrocities. While some victims' families expressed relief at the verdict, others criticized the sentence as insufficient given the severity of the crimes. The trial occurred amidst ongoing political tensions in Guinea, with current military leaders overseeing the judiciary, and highlighted the long wait for justice by the victims' families, who had sought accountability for over 15 years. Camara, who fled to Burkina Faso after the massacre, returned to Guinea to face trial but maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.