The Commission said in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja that “ECOWAS learnt with dismay that the peaceful demonstration organised in Conakry by the Forum des Forces Vives de la Nation was met with violent repression.”

According to ECOWAS, the Committee of inquiry should be set up in collaboration with the African Union and the United Nations Commission for Human Rights.

ECOWAS deplores the several civilian fatalities resulting from the incident and called for the immediate release of all arrested persons while presenting its condolences to the bereaved families, the statement continued.

It said this tragic incident was all the more regrettable as it occurred at a time when the International Community was actively working towards a satisfactory end to the prevailing crisis.

It noted that the International Contact Group on Guinea (ICG-G) which recently met in New York had expressed concern at the delay in the electoral process and the continued deterioration of the political, security and human rights situation in Guinea.

“The militarization of Guinea presents further grounds which justify ECOWAS’ request to President Moussa Dadis Camara, to re-affirm his commitment not to contest the next presidential elections,” the statement added.