FINAL COMMUNIQUE
  	
 
1. The eighth session of the International Contact Group on Guinea (ICG-G) was 
held at the Headquarters of the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja, Federal Republic 
of Nigeria on Monday 12 October 2009. 

2. The Group strongly condemns the brutal acts, rapes and the massacre 
perpetrated by armed troops under the authority of the CNDD against women and 
unarmed civilians during a gathering of members of the Forces Vives on 28 
September 2009. 

3. The Group demands that the de facto authorities in Guinea:
- Free all those who have been detained since September 28;
- Give back the bodies of the victims to their families;
- Allow all wounded persons in hospitals and outside, in particular raped men, 
to freely receive medical care;
- Lift obstacles to freedom of expression, movement and assembly;
- Ban the bearing of weapons of war by military personnel outside barracks not 
under active command.

4. The Group urgently requests the United Nations Secretary General, in 
collaboration with ECOWAS and the African Union, and with the support of the 
High Commission for Human Rights, to facilitate the establishment of an 
international Commission of Inquiry to investigate the 28 September 2009 gross 
human rights violations including the massacre of unarmed civilians and rapes, 
identify the culprits and prosecute them in the competent courts in Guinea or 
at the International Criminal Court so as to put an end to acts of impunity. 
The Group urges all partners to immediately prepare mechanisms for appropriate 
targeted sanctions to be imposed on the identified culprits.

5. The Group invites ECOWAS, with the support of its partners, to set up an 
international observer and protection mission, comprising civilians and 
military personnel to protect the members of the panel of enquiry and 
witnesses against acts of intimidation and to contribute to the establishment 
of an atmosphere of security for the people of Guinea. 

6. The Group expresses serious concerns over information relating to the 
illicit trafficking and circulation of arms in Guinea, requests ECOWAS to 
implement the relevant provisions of the Convention on Small Arms and Light 
Weapons, and recommends to the International Community to impose total embargo 
on arms meant for Guinea.

7. The Group reminds the Guinean authorities of their obligation to protect 
the civilian population, including political leaders, leaders of labour unions 
and civil society as well as foreigners residing in Guinea, especially members 
of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, who are guests of the country. It urges 
the authorities to take necessary measures to guarantee their protection in 
accordance with the commitments that they freely made. 

8. The Group calls on the President of the CNDD to formalise not later than 
the deadline of 17 October 2009, fixed by the 204th meeting of the African 
Union Peace and Security Council, his commitment that neither himself nor 
members of the CNDD nor the Prime Minister would contest the Presidential 
election, failing which the Group calls on the African Union and relevant 
regional and international organizations to take appropriate measures. 

9. The Group expresses its full support to the President of Burkina Faso His 
Excellency Blaise Compaore who has accepted the facilitation mission requested 
by the current Chairperson of the ECOWAS following the request made by the 
President of the Commission of the African Union on behalf of the ICG-G in 
conformity with the recommendations of its 7th Session held on 22nd September 
2009 in New York. 

10. To that end, the Group expresses its full support for a political solution 
aimed at creating a new transitional authority, through dialogue if possible, 
and based on the withdrawal of the CNDD, and ensuring a short and peaceful 
transition marked by the conduct of credible, free and fair elections in which 
those holding key executive positions demonstrate total neutrality throughout 
the electoral process.

11. The Group thanks the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, current 
Chairperson of ECOWAS, his government and the people of Nigeria, as well as 
the President of the ECOWAS Commission and its staff for the fraternal 
reception and hospitality extended to its members throughout their stay. 

12. The date and venue of the next meeting of the Group shall be determined 
after consultations between the co-Chairs.

Done at Abuja, this 12th October 2009