Guinea soldiers vow en masse to end crime wave

By Saliou Samb

CONAKRY (Reuters) - Hundreds of Guinean soldiers went on bended knee in front of the country's military leader and vowed to end criminality in their ranks, days after a U.S rights group accused the military of extortion and rape.

Moussa Dadis Camara, who came to power in a December coup but is battling to maintain stability in the world's top bauxite exporter, oversaw the ceremonies in military camps on Tuesday. They were broadcast later on state television.

Camara's National Council for Development and Democracy (CNDD) was initially welcomed when it took power after the death of long-standing President Lansana Conte, but soldiers have been accused of robbing shops and homes while arrests over a suspected coup plot have also fuelled instability.

Calls for an end to impunity within the military have put pressure on Camara, already widely condemned by the international community for his military takeover. Analysts say his behaviour has become increasingly erratic, despite promises to restore law and order.

Chanting in unison, hundreds of soldiers at the Alpha Yaya Diallo camp and the presidential guard headquarters swore not to "steal, commit acts of banditry or break laws of the republic", vowing instead to protect civilians and their property.

Earlier this week, U.S.-based Human Rights Watch said soldiers had been carrying out armed robbery, extortion and rape and called on the junta to rein them in.

"We will no longer accept in our ranks those who have stolen, committed acts of banditry or raped. It is over," said Defence Minister General Sekouba Konate, who also witnessed the ceremony with one hand on the Bible and another on the Koran.

However, state television also reported that soldiers had attacked a house belonging to an adopted daughter of the late president on Tuesday, stealing tens of thousands of dollars and a case full of gold before they were arrested.