Guinea’s junta leader, Mamady Doumbouya, has pardoned former military ruler Moussa Dadis Camara for “health reasons,” according to a decree read on state television on Friday. Camara, who seized power in a 2008 coup, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in July 2024 for crimes against humanity during the 2009 stadium massacre in Conakry, which left at least 157 people dead and saw dozens of women raped.
The pardon has sparked debate, as Camara was convicted alongside seven other military commanders for their roles in the brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. The current government has announced plans to compensate victims, including $2 million for rape survivors and $18 million for families of those killed or missing.
Doumbouya, who himself came to power in a 2021 coup, faces criticism over the decision, with concerns about justice and accountability in Guinea’s transitional period. The move raises questions about the nation’s commitment to addressing past atrocities.