afrol News, 6 January - The US and French top officials have engaged Guinea’s military junta in talks in Morocco with the view to restore the democratic rule in the west Africa state, US department of State has said in a statement.

The State Department said the officials met with the acting junta leader, Sekouba Konate as the junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara is currently in the country recovering from head wounds sustained during a failed assassination bid on 3 December.

State Department Spokesman P.J. Crowley said the US support the transition to a civilian government and hope that Guinea will begin a process that leads to a free, fair and transparent democratic election.

“We have had specific meetings with Captain Camara in the past and told him the very same thing," he said.

The official further said the transition would be more likely if Captain Camara would not return to Guinea before all preparatory steps are made towards resolving the dragging political crisis in the country.

Guinea drew international headlines in September after the killing of an estimated 157 opposition supporters at a national stadium, revealing a major gap in terms of control between Mr Camara and the army personnel.

A team of UN investigators sent to Conakry have recommended that Captain Camara and two other officers be referred to the International Criminal Court at The Hague for crimes against humanity.

Arms embargoes and travel restrictions have been imposed against the junta by the European Union and West African alliance ECOWAS.

Captain Camara seized power in December 2008, a day after the death of President Lansana Conte, who ruled the country for two decades.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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