In Coup-Torn Guinea, Women Raped in Public

Clinton sends diplomat, accuses junta of 'criminality'

(NEWSER) - Hillary Clinton has stepped into the crisis in the junta-ruled nation of Guinea, calling for "appropriate actions" against the military government, which she said "cannot remain in power." Clinton took the unusual step of dispatching a senior diplomat, who pinned blame for the recent killings and rapes of unarmed protesters squarely on coup leader Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara: "You are responsible for Sept. 28. The buck stops with you." More»

(AP) - Hillary Clinton traveled to war-ravaged eastern Congo today, where the nation's top diplomat demanded an end to the sexual violence that has claimed at least 200,000 victims. Clinton came to Goma aboard a UN plane over the objections of some top aides who were concerned about security and logistics for the visit. She is the first secretary of state to visit the city. More»

(NEWSER) - Hundreds of thousands of women have been sexually assaulted in the ongoing war in eastern Congo, but suddenly, the region is seeing a sharp increase in rapes of men. More than 10% of the victims of sexual violence in the region are male, and victims are often ostracized by their own families and communities. "The people in my village say: ‘You’re no longer a man,'" one victim tells the New York Times. "'Those men in the bush made you their wife.'" More»

Junior officers strengthen control over government

(NEWSER) - Junior military officers appointed their coup leader as president of Guinea, even as their superiors denied that the so-called putsch had succeeded. Coup leaders also postponed elections promised in 60 days and said they may have to remain in control for two years, leaving the West African nation teetering between alarm and confusion. Civilian leaders are hiding from roving soldiers, the New York Times reports. More»

Military suspends the constitution

(NEWSER) - Guinea's army has dissolved the African nation's government and seized power just hours after the death of its longtime dictatorial president, Lansana Conte. "As of today, the constitution is suspended, as well as political and union activity," said a military commander in a radio address. The capital was peaceful and there were no troops in the streets, said a BBC correspondent in Conakry. More»