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French told to quit unsafe Guinea | French told to quit unsafe Guinea |
(32 minutes later) | |
France has urged its nationals to leave Guinea, amid growing criticism of the military junta. | France has urged its nationals to leave Guinea, amid growing criticism of the military junta. |
There are believed to be some 2,500 French nationals, mainly aid workers businessmen and their families, in the mineral-rich former French colony. | There are believed to be some 2,500 French nationals, mainly aid workers businessmen and their families, in the mineral-rich former French colony. |
Human rights groups say some 157 people died after troops opened fire on opposition protesters last month. | Human rights groups say some 157 people died after troops opened fire on opposition protesters last month. |
The African Union has told the military leader to step down by Saturday, amid calls for him to be charged. | The African Union has told the military leader to step down by Saturday, amid calls for him to be charged. |
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has opened a preliminary investigation into the deaths. | The International Criminal Court (ICC) has opened a preliminary investigation into the deaths. |
Human rights groups say soldiers raped and sexually abused women during the crackdown. | Human rights groups say soldiers raped and sexually abused women during the crackdown. |
The military government puts the number of dead at 57 and says most were trampled to death and not shot, as opposition activists say. | The military government puts the number of dead at 57 and says most were trampled to death and not shot, as opposition activists say. |
Minister 'resigns' | |
On Wednesday, European Union development chief Karel de Gucht called for junta leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara to be tried for crimes against humanity. | |
CAPT MOUSSA DADIS CAMARA Seized power in December 2008 as a little-known army captainPromised democracy, but now shows signs of holding on to powerIncreasingly erratic behaviour and public humiliation of officials Guinea's erratic military ruler Guinea under Camara: Story so far Eyewitness: 'Bodies were falling' | |
He said the crackdown on protesters was "an act of brutality never seen before". | |
After the protest Cap Camara pointed the finger of blame at "controllable soldiers", while also saying the opposition should not have held the banned rally. | |
France has already said it will stop weapon sales to the military government. | |
Concern has also been raised over a mining deal which a Guinean minister said had been agreed this week, which could see a Chinese firm pumping $7bn (£4.5bn) into the country. | |
The US-based Human Rights Watch group said the deal "sends the wrong message at the wrong time". | |
"There's a real risk that these investments could entrench and embolden and enrich an already abusive government," the AP news agency quoted HRW's Arvind Ganesan as saying. | |
China has not confirmed the deal, but foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu defended continuing trade ties saying the countries shared a "traditional friendship". | |
Cracks are also beginning to show within the government. | |
The information minister has reportedly stepped down, after the resignation of two other civilian cabinet colleagues this week. | |
When Capt Camara took over the country in December 2008, he promised he would not stand in an election he had scheduled for next January. | |
But recently he hinted he would stand, sparking widespread condemnation and opposition protests. |