Development and Peace is condemning the brutal crackdown on a civil society demonstration in Conakry, the capital city of Guinea, on September 28. According to several accounts, 157 people were killed and 1,250 wounded. Many are still missing, and human rights organizations are reporting rapes committed by soldiers.

This flare-up was the worst demonstration of violence since Captain Moussa Dadis Camara seized power in a coup in 2008. It follows months of growing tension between the ruling junta and the proponents of a democratic transition gathered under the name Forces vives de Guinée. This coalition wants those behind the putsch to uphold their pledge to return the country to civil rule by holding free elections before the end of 2009.

Development and Peace has supported development projects in Guinea since 1993 and continues to monitor the situation with its local partners. In the past two years, the agency has donated $425,000 to four partner organizations in the country.