Morocco says Guinea's military ruler has undergone successful surgery for gunshot wounds sustained on Thursday in an apparent assassination attempt. Guinea's military government is offering a reward for the capture of the former head of the presidential guard whose men are accused of carrying out the attack.
The inspector of Morocco's Royal Armed Forces' health services says Guinea's military ruler Captain Moussa Dadis Camara has had successful surgery for head trauma. In a statement issued by Morocco's official press agency, Dr. Ali Abrouq said Captain Camara's condition is "not worrying."
Captain Camara flew to Morocco on Friday after being shot the day before by men loyal to his former aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Aboubacar Sidiki Diakite, who is also known as Toumba. Toumba escaped the attack and is still at large with a group of the presidential guard.
Security forces are patrolling Guinea's borders in search of Toumba. The government is offering a reward for information leading to his capture. Toumba's photograph is being broadcast on national television. Guineans are being urged to contact authorities, if he is sighted.
Thursday's shooting followed an argument between Toumba and Captain Camara about who should take responsibility for the killing of opposition demonstrators two months ago. Witnesses say Toumba gave the order for the presidential guard to open fire on people protesting Captain Camara's expected presidential candidacy.
Local human rights groups say dozens of women were raped and at least 157 people were killed on September 28. The military says 57 people died.
Captain Camara has not yet announced his candidacy, but he has told several regional diplomats that he intends to run for president. His shooting, and the upheaval that has followed, casts doubt on whether elections rescheduled for January will be held.
The Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, says Guinea's military government should immediately put in place a new transitional authority leading to credible elections in early 2010 that does not include members of the military council or its prime minister.
ECOWAS says Guinea's military is responsible for the country's "worsening security situation" where "indiscipline and infighting within the fractured army" are holding back efforts to "establish the rule of law."
Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore is the ECOWAS mediator for Guinea. His plans for an interim government have been rejected by a coalition of political parties, trade unions and civil society groups. The coalition says it will not take part in any transitional authority that includes members of Guinea's military.
Morocco says Guinea's military ruler has undergone successful surgery for gunshot wounds sustained on Thursday in an apparent assassination attempt.
