UN Hails Arrest of Toumba Diakité Over 2009 Conakry Stadium Tragedy

December 22, 2016
UN Hails Arrest of Toumba Diakité Over 2009 Conakry Stadium Tragedy

UN Hails Arrest of Toumba Diakité Over 2009 Conakry Stadium Tragedy

By Dipo Olowookere

The United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sèxual Violence in Conflict, Mrs Zainab Hawa Bangura, has welcomed Tuesday’s arrest in Dakar, Senegal, of Mr Aboubacar Sidiki Diakité, alias Toumba Diakité, in relation to the events at the Conakry national stadium on 28 September 2009, which left at least 156 persons killed or disappeared and resulted in at least 109 victims of sèxual violence.

 Sought for his alleged role in the events, Lieutenant Aboubacar Sidiki Diakité, aide-de-camp of former President Moussa Daddis Camara, an international arrest warrant had been issued against him and he has been a fugitive from justice since 2009.

“The arrest of Mr Aboubacar Sidiki Diakité represents an important milestone in ongoing efforts by the Government of Guinea to establish the truth and ensure accountability for the crimes committed in September 2009, including sexual violence crimes”, Special Representative Bangura said.

“What this arrest signals is that you can run but you cannot hide, as justice will always catch up with you. The international community will work as long as it takes to ensure perpetrators of these crimes face justice”, she added.

Recalling the conviction of Hissene Habré in Dakar in May 2016, Special Representative Bangura also congratulated the Government of Senegal for their contribution to international justice.

Dipo Olowookere

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan.

Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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