Guinea: ITUC mourns loss

Guinea: ITUC mourns the loss of trade union leaders Ibrahima Fofana and Magbè Bangoura

Brussels, 19 April 2010 (ITUC OnLine): The ITUC is in mourning following the tragic and untimely deaths of Mr Ibrahima Fofana, general secretary of the USTG and Mrs Magbè Bangoura, general secretary of the CGSL, on the night of Friday 16 April 2010. The two trade union leaders lost their lives in a car accident whilst making their way to talks with strikers at the country's largest mining operation, run by the Russian aluminium group RUSAL, in the town of Fria, 150 km from Conakry.

Two journalists, Aboubacar Lansana Camara and Lamba Mansaré, who were travelling in the same car, were also killed. Yamoussa Toure, deputy general secretary of the CNTG, was also part of the delegation and was injured. His condition is now stable. The Guinean government announced that a national day of mourning would be held on Monday 19 April 2010, declaring it a public holiday, and is organising national funeral services in memory of the deceased, who will be buried this afternoon.

"Ibrahima Fofana and Magbé Bangoura played a leading role in the fight for workers' rights in Guinea, especially during the events of 2008. We are deeply saddened by their loss and express our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to their families, colleagues and friends," said ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder.

The ITUC represents 176 million workers in 155 countries and territories and has 312 national affiliates. http://www.ituc-csi.org http://www.youtubecom/ITUCCSI

ENDS

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