Guinean army boss, others killed in plane crash
By: Augustine N. Myers – Liberians on Monday, February 11, 2013 woke up to a shocking news on the death of the Chief of Staff of the Guinea’s Armed Forces and other senior military officials from the West African state of Guinea.
Debris of the Plane crash
The late Gen. Souleyman Kelefa Diallo
The Guinean Army Chief with four other military personnel and five civilians including a journalist were killed on Monday when their aircraft crashed in Charlesville, 3 miles from the Roberts International Airport (RIA) in Margibi County, outside Monrovia.
Guinean Ambassador accredited near Monrovia, Abdoudaye Dore, confirmed the death of his statesmen to reporters in Monrovia minutes following the celebration of Liberia’s Armed Forces Day.
Liberia’s Information Minister, Louis Brown has also told Journalists that the Government of Liberia has already informed the Government of Guinea of this shocking incident.
Report from Guinea has also confirmed that the Chief of Staff and five other military officers were on the plane and that everyone onboard died.
Liberian President, Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf immediately paid a visit at the scene of the wreckage, hours after the incident.
Guinea’s military chief, General Kelefa Diallo was on the plane on a security mission to Liberia, police in Guinea said.
According to information, Diallo was a close ally of Guinean President Alpha Conde, who was elected to lead the world’s top bauxite producer in late 2010, ending two years of military rule.
Amongst those who died include Gen. Souleyman Kelefa Diallo, Commandant, Mahal Diallo, Presse Militaire, Mamodou Conde, Interpreter, Commandant Abodrame Camara, and Adjutant Bangoura.
Others are Presse Militaire, Mustapha Sangare, Pilot, Col. Mamadou Celou Dalin Diallo, Soriba Diawara and Mohamed Koumbassa.
A Guinea plane CN235 CASA marked 3X Tipple ‘G’, was carrying a high power military delegation from the Republic of Guinea to attend ceremonies marking the 56th celebration of the Armed Forces Day of Liberia, Monday, February 11 2013, when it crashed in Charlesville, Margibi County while it was heading for the Roberts International Airport(RIA) to land.
Senior Guinean military and defense officials were on the plane, Liberian Defense Minister, Brownie Samukai was quoted as saying.
Minutes following the Armed Forces Day celebration, Liberian Government officials with other dignitaries trooped to the site of the plane crash in Margibi County.
General Diallo was one of the major architects of reform of Guinea’s restive military, which had seized power in the former French colony in 2008. Some 4,000 soldiers were forced to retire under a U.N.-backed scheme to reduce the bloated armed forces.
Diallo’s predecessor, Nouhou Thiam, is in prison facing trial for his alleged role in a gun and rocket attack on President Conde’s home by soldiers in 2011.
It has been confirmed that the crash incident involving a CASA Aircraft (CN-235) with registration 3x-GGG approximately 3 miles south of the aerodrome.
It was established that the flight originated from Conakry, Guinea and at 0709 GMT, air traffic control cleared the flight to land at RIA. “That was the last known contact with the crew,” the RIA management told newsmen.
So far, RIA management has said 11 bodies have been recovered with the help of the search and rescue team comprising the Firefighting team of RIA, UNMIL, authorities at the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority, the Firestone Protection Plant Department rescue and Firefighting team, Firestone Medical team and the Liberia National Red Cross.
Despite the incident, RIA management has also told the public that the airport remains open and is fully operational while an investigation is ongoing to know the cause of the crash.
A national holiday in observance of the deaths of the 11 Guinean Army delegation was held in Liberia, February 12, as National Morning Day.
Following a declaration of a National Holiday Day by government, Liberians and foreigners joined the Government and people of Guinea to commemorate the historic mournful event and expressed their profound sadness for the irreparable loss sustained, while at the same called on all Guineans to have solace in the Lord.
Meanwhile the remains of the fallen 11 Guinean soldiers and civilians have been flown back home for funeral arrangements.
