Moussa Dadis Camara Biography

(3rd President of Guinea)

Birthday: January 1, 1964 (Capricorn)

Born In: Koule, Guinea

Moussa Dadis Camara aka Moïse Dadis Camara was a former military ruler of Guinea. Born in a small village on the forest border of his small country, Moussa understood the value of education since his childhood was a diligent student. Later, he and his entire family moved to the capital so that he could study law and economics. Using his commercial skills and inborn leadership traits, he mastered five languages while supporting his family as a cola nut vendor. Camara later joined the military, where he was quickly promoted to a management position handling vital logistics for the army. Camara used his laid-back nature and inborn friendliness to secure a network of allies in the military. He was promoted after some members of his fellow network successfully launched a brief coup. Soon after another coup was orchestrated with Camara's help and two days later he was promoted to lead the entire country. Although he promised a rapid return to democracy and prosperity, the military leader’s short reign in office was marred by government massacres. A mainstay of Moussa's political platform was the eradication of drug trafficking and sharp reduction in corruption. The President was later shot by an underling, and since then he has spent the last few years convalescing in a neighboring country. He has since used his considerable influence to guide his country through a transition to democracy while he remains an objective and uninvolved observer
0
Quick Facts

Also Known As: Captain Moussa Dadis Camara

Age: 60 Years, 60 Year Old Males

Presidents Political Leaders

political ideology: Political party - National Council for Democracy and Development

Notable Alumni: University Of Conakry

More Facts

education: University Of Conakry

Childhood & Early Life
Moussa Dadis Camara was born on January 1, 1964 in Koure, Guinea. He attended both primary and secondary school in Nzerekore. As a child, Moussa sold kola nuts in the street to earn money.
In 1982, Camara enrolled at ‘Abdel Nasser University’ in Conakry. He later graduated with a degree in law and economics.
Continue Reading Below
Career
In 1990, the law graduate enrolled in the army. He was given the rank of corporal and was eventually appointed as the Chief of Fuels at an army base in Kindia.
In 2001, the military chief participated in a United Nations peacekeeping mission in nearby Sierra Leone.
In 2004, the President of Guinea handpicked Camara, as well as other Guinean soldiers, to report to Germany for 18 months of advanced military training.
In February 2007, Moussa helped organize a mutiny. He was later promoted to the rank of captain, the highest rank he would ever achieve.
In November 2008, he was appointed head of fuel supplies for the Guinean Army. Later in the year, he became one of the leading mutineers during an attempted coup, commonly referred to as the 'Christmas Coup'.
After the President died of natural illness on December 22, 2008, a military coup d'etat was launched. The mutineers formed the ‘National Council for Democracy and Development’ (CNDD) to lead the country. Camara was appointed head of the CNDD two days later, effectively becoming the new President of Guinea.
On December 25, 2008, the former Prime Minister, Ahmed Tidiane Souare, publicly declared his loyalty to the new President. Three months later, Souare was arrested and thrown into a military prison for challenging Camara's leadership.
In the first few months of 2009, the President’s popularity soared after several public crackdowns on drug trafficking in the country. Several leaders of trafficking rings were interrogated live on television by him.
On September 28, 2009 a political demonstration in the capital was dispersed forcefully by government forces. This event later became known as the '28 September Atrocity'. In response to this event, the ‘Economic Community of West African States’ agreed to impose an arms embargo on Guinea.
In October 2009, the United States, African Union and European Union imposed a travel ban on the President and 41 other members of the CNDD. The African Union and European Union froze bank accounts belonging to Camara and his associates.
On December 3, 2009, Moussa was shot. The next day he left to Morocco to seek medical treatment.
In January 12, 2010 he flew to Burkina Faso. After extensive negotiations with the President of Burkina Faso, the exiled President formally agreed to return Guinea to civilian rule and hold democratic elections.
Also in early 2010, Camara promised to remove himself from Guinean politics and do his convalescence in Burkina Faso. He also announced that he had changed his name to Moïse Dadis Camara.
On April 13, 2013, he traveled to Nzerekore to attend his mother's funeral. The former military leader then returned to Burkina Faso.
Major Works
Moussa Dadis Camara was the President of Guinea from December 24, 2008 to December 3, 2009. Though his tenure was marred by political turmoil, he won the support of people when he ordered a crackdown on the drug traffickers in his country.
Personal Life & Legacy
Moussa Dadis Camara is married to Jeanne Saba. Together they have four children.
The military leader spoke five languages: Kpelle, Susu, Maninka, German and French. Although he was born Muslim, the former President later converted to Christianity. He is a member of the Kpelle ethnic group, one of the three principal groups in Guinea

See the events in life of Moussa Dadis Camara in Chronological Order

How To Cite

Article Title
- Moussa Dadis Camara Biography
Author
- Editors, TheFamousPeople.com
Website
- TheFamousPeople.com
URL
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/moussa-dadis-camara-6033.php

People Also Viewed

Martin Bormann Biography
Martin Bormann
(German)
 
Sam Houston Biography
Sam Houston
(American)
 
Morgan Tsvangirai Biography
Morgan Tsvangirai
(Zimbabwean)
 
Harold Holt Biography
Harold Holt
(Australian)
 
Goodluck Jonathan Biography
Goodluck Jonathan
(Nigerien)
 
Ramsay MacDonald Biography
Ramsay MacDonald
(British)