Guinea Strongman Camara 'Shot And Wounded By Aide'

Guinea's military leader has been fired on by one of his aides in the capital, Conakry, a government spokesman says. Officials said Capt Moussa Dadis Camara had been injured in the shooting but was "in good health". Communication Minister Idrissa Cherif named aide-de-camp Aboubacar "Toumba" Diakite as being behind the attack. Analysts say the shooting highlights deep rifts within the junta after the killing of an estimated 157 opposition supporters in September. A team of UN investigators has been in the capital Conakry this week to unearth exactly what happened when soldiers opened fire in a stadium packed with protesters. Several women have reported being gang-raped by soldiers. "The president of the republic is still the president of the republic and he is in good health," Mr Cherif was quoted as saying by the Associated Press news agency. He warned that those behind the attack would face punishment. Mr Cherif said that Lt Diakite "has been located, meaning arrested". However, other reports suggest he has gone into hiding. Lt Diakite has been accused by witnesses and human rights groups of being one of those at the stadium during the massacre. There are unconfirmed reports that Capt Camara may have sent soldiers to arrest Lt Diakite when the shooting broke out. Mr Cherif hinted that there may have been a link between the stadium killings and the shooting of Capt Camara, by pointing out that the military strongman had called for "complete transparency" with the international commission of enquiry. The military authorities have always said that just 57 people died and most of these were trampled to death, not shot at the rally which was called to urge Capt Camara not to contest elections scheduled for next year.