The Economic Community of West AfricanStates (ECOWAS) is expressing "disgust" at the violence in Guinea that left atleast 58 people dead and several seriously injured.
Heavily armed securityforces shot at thousands of protesters who were attempting to hold a rally at anational stadium against the possible presidential candidacy of military rulerCaptain Moussa Dadis Camara.
Abdelfatau Musah is the ECOWAS political director.He told VOA that the sub-regional body wants the soldiers toreturn to the barracks.
"(Weare) angry and disgusted. We requested that Captain Moussa Dadis Camara unambiguouslydeclared his intention not to run in the forthcoming election because that isthe bone of contention. Very little did we expect that he will go to thisextent," Musah said.
He said the sub-regionalbody sharply condemns the violence.
"We are issuing a statementright now, today, condemning the violence in the strongest possible term," hesaid.
Musah said ECOWAS demandsthat the soldiers return to their camps.
"(We want them) to ask themilitary to get back immediately to the barracks and then to make sure that thepreparation for the elections are put back on the agenda and that Dadis Camaragoes back to the barracks and never even attempt to become a candidate in thiselection," Musah said.
He said Africans are notover-enthused about military dictatorship.
"The people of West Africaand for that matter Africa are learning everyday that the military rule is notthe solution to their problems and they have rejected it and it is out offashion today," he said.
Musah praised the work ofcivil society groups in Guinea.
"When you have a countrywhere the civil society is cowed, they cannot do anything against authoritiesand we are happy in the belief that the civil society in Guinea is verysteadfast and they know what they want and they are demanding it and they willprevail in the end," Musah said.
He said ECOWAS is stillpursuing sanctions against Conakry.
"Already you know Guinea isunder sanctions. Under ECOWAS protocol we've got what we call graduatedsanctions. Now, Guinea is suspended from meetings at the level of heads ofstate and at the ministerial level. We can go further? and that will be thenext step if he decides to go back on his promises," he said.
Musah said the militaryruler is being influenced by suspected drug dealers.
"He came pretending to fightagainst the drug trafficking and others and today we know that some of the drugbarons in Guinea are some of his advisors," Musah said.
He said ECOWAS could employits military might if the crackdown on protesters continues.
"We do not rule out interventionby the ECOWAS standby forces in Guinea," he said.
Musah said the sub-regionalbody will ensure Guineans enjoy the tenets of democracy despite the coupleader's attempt to participate in the upcoming election.
Captain Moussa Dadis Camaraseized power in a coup d'état shortly after long time President Lansana Contedied in December last year.
He initially enjoyedenormous support after the takeover, but his popularity sharply waned after herefused to abide his promise not to participate in the presidential election.