In a dramatic turn of events, former dictator Moussa Dadis Camara of Guinea was recaptured and returned to prison just hours after an apparent jailbreak led by a heavily armed commando. The army and Camara's lawyer confirmed the recapture, which took place in the capital city of Conakry.

The operation, which occurred early on Saturday, resulted in the capture of at least two other former officials who were on trial alongside Camara for their alleged involvement in a massacre that took place during his presidency in 2009. The incident sparked heavy gunfire in Conakry, causing concern and alarm among the local population.

An army spokesperson, in a statement to AFP, announced, "Captain Moussa Dadis Camara has been found safe and sound and taken back to prison." However, no specific details regarding the circumstances of his capture were provided.

Camara's lawyer, Jocamey Haba, confirmed that his client was once again behind bars. Meanwhile, Justice Minister Alphonse Charles Wright revealed that heavily armed individuals forcibly entered the prison and managed to escape with four prisoners, including Camara. It remains unclear whether Camara had willingly participated in the escape or if he was coerced.

The army characterized the operation as an attempt to "sabotage" government reforms and pledged its "unwavering commitment" to the current military-led authorities. A judicial source, speaking anonymously, reported that the commando, wearing masks and heavily armed, claimed they had come to free Camara.

Concerns for Camara's safety were expressed by his lawyer, who stated that his client had been "kidnapped" and his life was in danger. Haba maintained that Camara had trust in the justice system of Guinea and would never attempt to escape, as he is currently facing trial.

Following the recapture of Camara, Colonel Moussa Tiegboro Camara, another individual who had been taken from the prison, was also apprehended. According to Tiegboro Camara's lawyer, he had managed to escape from his captors.

Reports from various Guinean news sites clarified that the events that occurred on Saturday were not a coup but rather an attack by a heavily armed commando on the central prison. Gunfire was heard in Conakry's central district, known as Kaloum, where several important government institutions and the main prison are located.

Guinea, a West African country with a population of approximately 14 million, has been under military rule since September 2021 when former President Alpha Conde was overthrown by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya and his soldiers. Camara has been in detention since his trial began in September 2022. He and several other former military and government officials are facing charges related to a massacre committed by security forces during the time Camara was in power.

The trial, which is unprecedented in a country with a history of authoritarian regimes, aims to address the long-standing issue of impunity within the security forces. Initiated at the urging of President Doumbouya, the trial signifies his commitment to rebuilding the Guinean state and ensuring justice.

Under international pressure, Doumbouya has pledged to transfer power to elected civilians within two years, starting from January 2023. However, opposition parties and organizations, known collectively as the Forces Vives de Guinee, have criticized the current junta, accusing them of unfulfilled commitments and an authoritarian drift, labeling the regime as an "emerging dictatorship."