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SA 'probing Guinea mercenaries' SA 'probing Guinea mercenaries'
(about 17 hours later)
South Africa's government says it is investigating reports that South African mercenaries are training supporters of Guinea's military junta.South Africa's government says it is investigating reports that South African mercenaries are training supporters of Guinea's military junta.
The BBC's Mpho Lakaje in Johannesburg says the announcement appears to give substance to the allegations. A senior US official told the BBC that mercenaries had been seen at a camp south of the Guinean capital, Conakry.
There have been reports in the French media of South Africans training recruits at a camp south of Conakry. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Africa William Fitzgerald said the US was concerned by the development.
The junta has been fiercely criticised for a deadly crackdown on opposition supporters in September. Guinea's junta has been fiercely criticised for a deadly crackdown on opposition supporters in September.
Human rights groups say more than 150 people were killed when troops fired on an anti-government protest and many women systematically raped. Human rights groups say more than 150 people were killed when troops fired on an anti-government protest and many women were systematically raped.
Guinean officials say 57 people died and that most were trampled to death.Guinean officials say 57 people died and that most were trampled to death.
The protest was called in protest at rumours that Capt Moussa Dadis Camara, who seized power last December, planned to run for president next year despite a promise not to. The demonstration was called in protest at rumours that Capt Moussa Dadis Camara, who seized power last December, planned to run for president next year despite a promise not to do so.
CautiousCautious
Ayanda Ntsaluba, South Africa's director general of International Relations, said the mercenary allegations were being taken seriously because of the elections due in Guinea next year.Ayanda Ntsaluba, South Africa's director general of International Relations, said the mercenary allegations were being taken seriously because of the elections due in Guinea next year.
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'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'
"The allegation is that there is a group of South Africans, mercenaries who are training militia largely recruited on an ethnic basis, supporters of the current military youth," he said."The allegation is that there is a group of South Africans, mercenaries who are training militia largely recruited on an ethnic basis, supporters of the current military youth," he said.
"The information that we have... leads us to is basically companies that have operated largely through Dubai." "The information that we have... what it leads us to is basically companies that have operated largely through Dubai."
It also seemed to point to a "strong South African connection", he said, but officials were being cautious about the leads.It also seemed to point to a "strong South African connection", he said, but officials were being cautious about the leads.
South Africa has strict laws forbidding mercenary activities.South Africa has strict laws forbidding mercenary activities.
Last month, the UN created a tribunal to investigate the killings in Guinea's capital Conakry on 28 September.Last month, the UN created a tribunal to investigate the killings in Guinea's capital Conakry on 28 September.
The US and the African Union have imposed sanctions against Capt Camara and 41 members of his junta.The US and the African Union have imposed sanctions against Capt Camara and 41 members of his junta.
Former colonial power France and West African countries have imposed an arms embargo, while the EU has called for Capt Camara to be put on trial for crimes against humanity.Former colonial power France and West African countries have imposed an arms embargo, while the EU has called for Capt Camara to be put on trial for crimes against humanity.