Ouagadougou (AFP) - Exiled former Guinean junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara announced on Monday that he would run for president in October elections.
"I gladly accept to be a candidate (in the election) ... in our dear homeland, Guinea," he told reporters in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou, where he has been living since 2010.
The former coup leader was speaking during a meeting with members of Guinea's new Party of Patriotic Forces for Democracy and Development, who travelled to Burkina Faso to ask him to be their leader and run for president.
Dadis Camara said he would push a "national, unifying" agenda.
"The party must be neither ethnic nor discriminatory," he said.
Dadis Camara led the troops that seized control of the west African state in 2008 when longtime strongman Lansana Conte died. He ruled for close to a year before being forced into exile by an assassination attempt.
While he was in power, security forces massacred at least 157 pro-democracy protesters during a rally in Conakry Stadium on September 28, 2009.
Two months later Dadis Camara was shot in the head by his former aide-de-camp.
He flew to Burkina Faso for treatment and has remained there ever since.
We’ll no longer tolerate your empty, unwarranted attacks – TUC blasts Prof Adei
Bawumia donates GHc200,000 to support Madina fire victims
IMF to disburse US$360million third tranche to Ghana without creditors MoU
Truck owner share insights into train collision incident
Paramount chief of Bassare Traditional Area passes on
Two teachers in court over alleged illegal possession of BECE papers
Sunyani: Victim allegedly shot by traditional warriors appeals for justice
Mahama vows to scrap teacher licensure exams, review Free SHS policy
Government will replace burnt Madina shops with a new three-story, 120-store fac...
