Guineans in post-massacre protest

[XXPANTHAXX]

Camara seized power in a coup and there is speculation that he will
stand in next year's poll

Thousands of Guineans have stayed at home in protest over the massacre
nearly two weeks ago of at least 150 people who were among thousands
demonstrating against the country's military rulers.

The strike, which began on Monday, brought Conakry, the capital, to a
standstill with banks, shops, markets and offices remaining closed.

A collection of unions called for the two-day strike after a September
28 demonstration ended in a bloodbath, with security forces opening fire
on protesters who had gathered outside a stadium in defiance of an
official ban on the protest.

The demonstration followed speculation that Captain Moussa Dadis Camara,
Guinea's president who seized power in a coup last December, would stand
in next year's elections.

Strong backing

Rights organisations and the UN say the toll may have been higher than
150 and that at least 1,200 people were injured.

The military government puts the death toll at 56.

In a statement issued last week, the main union federation called on
people to observe a "day of prayer", urging them to "kneel piously
before the mortal remains of the ... martyrs for democracy in Guinea" -
a reference to the protesters killed by security forces.

The strike action received strong support in the southeastern town of
Kissidougou, where traders said there was "no activity" in the main
market.

"All the shops, as well as the banks, have shut down, and the bus
station as well," Sall Mamadou Lamarana, a trader, told the AFP news
agency.

In northwestern Boke, Sine Magassouba, a teacher, said: "There is no
activity at the market. People have been praying in the courtyards, and
youth clubs."

Bauxite exports hit

Union sources said the strike also hit an aluminium refinery and bauxite
exports, which are a major source of Guinea's foreign exchange.

Sekou Ousmane Diallo, head of the union at UC RUSAL's Friguia refinery,
said: "We are maintaining minimum service because an aluminium refinery
cannot be completely shut-down without the equipment possibly being
damaged. However, 90 per cent of the Friguia workers stayed at home."

The refinery, which was projected to produce 527,000 tonnes of aluminium
in 2008, is still operating despite a decision last month by the
government to strip it from Rusal. Rusal is contesting the decision.

Efforts to resolve the crisis are continuing and last week Mohamed Ibn
Chambas, head of the regional grouping Ecowas, met Blaise Compaore, the
president of Burkina Fasso, who has been appointed by the body to
mediate.

Amid mounting international pressure on Camara, rights groups have also
reported cases of rape and other abuses at the stadium where the protest
was staged.