Several South Africans, led by a former SA Police Service officer, are working for a Dubai-based security company in Guinea, providing protection and training to the military junta which seized power in a December coup and has been ostracised by African organisations, security sources say.

The Star reports that South Africa's Director-General of International Relations and Co-Operation, Ayanda Ntsaluba, said the government's information also suggested that the South Africans allegedly working for the junta were employed by 'companies operating largely through Dubai'. Intelligence sources said the South Africans had been in the turbulent West African state for at least a month, working for Omega Strategic Services to provide security and military training for the military junta headed by Captain Moussa Dadis Camara. According to a report on the News24 site, the US has expressed 'deeply concerned' at the reports. 'The US has received reports of 40 or 50 South African military instructors training militia members in Guinea, including some under the age of 18,' said an unidentified State Department official. According to a report on the IoL site, the sightings of mercenaries are a potential blow to international efforts to stave off new violence in the West African country and press its military leaders to step down. 'The training of the militia could change the balance of things,' said Corinne Dufka, West Africa regional director for Human Rights Watch.
Full report in The Star
Full report on the New24 site
Full report on The IoL site

Meanwhile, investigations into the recent deaths of anti-government demonstrators have intensified with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urging three investigators to work independently to assess the facts' that led to the tragedy in September. The Times reports that Mohamed Bedjaoui, Françoise Ngendahayo Kayiramirwa and Pramila Patten were asked to make 'recommendations on accountability measures' when they report on their work in Conakry. The panel has been asked to investigate alleged human rights violations that occurred. According to the report, the three members met with Ban before going to Guinea, where they will conduct the investigation from 25 November to 4 December.
Full report in The Times