GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS have launched an investigation into whether South African mercenaries have been training supporters of Guinea’s military dictatorship following allegations they have been seen near Conakry, the capital.
United States deputy assistant secretary of state for Africa William Fitzgerald told the BBC the mercenaries had been seen at a camp south of the Guinean capital by colleagues on the ground.
Rumours of mercenary activity in Guinea began to surface on Monday, but it was not until yesterday that officials confirmed there may be substance to them.
“Some of us have seen the South Africans who are up at a camp called Forecariah, south of the city – so, yes, that is a cause for concern . . . I believe that they are military trainers,” Mr Fitzgerald said.
Guinea’s junta is led by Capt Moussa Dadis Camara, who took control of the West African country last December after the death of president Lansana Conte, who seized power 24 years earlier in a coup.
Capt Camara has been fiercely criticised for a deadly crackdown on opposition supporters last September. They had taken to the streets to protest against his decision to run for election in January.
Human rights groups say at least 157 people were killed and numerous women were raped by troops who fired on the protesters. The event has prompted the International Criminal Court to investigate the deaths.
South Africa’s director general of international relations, Ayanda Ntsaluba, has said the allegations involving South African mercenaries were being taken seriously.
“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.
He added the information they had gathered thus far led them to believe a company operating out of Dubai was involved.
The South African government has strict laws forbidding mercenary activities. However, the country has proved to be a fertile recruitment ground for those seeking the skills of private soldiers.
In 2004, more than 60 South Africans were arrested and jailed for attempting to participate in a coup in Equatorial Guinea, which was led by former SAS officer Simon Mann.