Guinea’s military celebrates 1 year in power; No. 2 leader says elections are also needed

Guinea’s military celebrates 1 year of power

CONAKRY, Guinea — Guinea’s No. 2 leader says the country’s future should be decided by elections — and implied that he’s confident the people would vote for the country’s current military leaders.

Gen. Sekouba Konate made the assertions on the same day the military junta marked its first year in power. He spoke at the military’s main camp in Guinea’s capital Wednesday.

There is widespread discontent with military rule, especially since soldiers fired at pro-democracy demonstrators on Sept. 28, killing scores, and raped women in broad daylight. Junta leader Capt. Moussa “Dadis” Camara’s health remains a mystery ever since he was airlifted to a Moroccan military hospital earlier this month after being wounded in the head in an assassination attempt by an aide.