Claude Pivi is a Guinean military officer born in 1960 in Nzérékoré, whose career has been marked by controversy and violence.
A former karate champion converted to the army, he became in 2008 an influential member of the military junta of the National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD) which took power after the death of President Lansana Conté.
However, Claude Pivi is best known for his alleged involvement in the September 28, 2009 massacre in Conakry, where dozens of peaceful protesters were killed and many women raped by security forces.
Accused by justice in 2013, he managed to escape from prison and has since been on the run, subject to an international arrest warrant for crimes against humanity.
Introduction
Claude Pivi, born in 1960 in Nzérékoré, Guinea, was a controversial military officer whose career was marked by tragic events.
A former karate champion, he joined the Guinean army in 1985 and climbed the ladder to become an influential member of the National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD), the military junta that took power after the death of President Lansana Conté in 2008.
Education
Little information is available about Claude Pivi's education, but it is known that he began his career as a karate athlete, winning titles at African continental level in the 1980s.
This discipline probably helped him to develop an iron discipline and unwavering determination that would mark his military journey.
Military career
In 1985, Claude Pivi joined the Guinean Army as a simple soldier. Thanks to his martial prowess, he quickly climbed the ladder to become Sergeant-in-Chief of the prestigious Autonomous Battalion of Airborne Troops.
It was in this capacity that he made himself known to the general public in May 2008, when he became the spokesman for the mutiny soldiers, expressing their salary demands and difficult living conditions.
CNDD
After the death of President Lansana Conté in December 2008, a military junta named the National Council for Democracy and Development took power. (CNDD).
Claude Pivi was appointed minister by presidential decree on December 31, 2008, becoming one of the key members of this controversial transitional government.
Massacre of September 28, 2009
However, it was the tragic event of September 28, 2009 that deeply damaged Claude Pivi's reputation. On that day, a peaceful demonstration organized by the opposition in a Conakry stadium was bloody suppressed by security forces.
Dozens of people were killed, hundreds injured, and many women were systematically raped in what is now called a crime against humanity.
Prison escape
As a result of these events, Claude Pivi was indicted by Guinean justice in 2013 for his alleged role in the massacre.
However, he managed to escape from prison under mysterious circumstances and has since been on the run, subject to an international arrest warrant.
Conclusion
Claude Pivi's trajectory illustrates the authoritarian drifts and violence that have embellished Guinea's recent political history.
Starting from a promising career in sport and the army, this man has swung into horror by becoming a key driver of a repressive regime responsible for hateful crimes against his own people.
Today, being pursued by justice, his tragic fate reminds us of the disastrous consequences of abuse of power and disregard for human rights.
His forthcoming trial, if captured, could establish the whole truth about his role in the 2009 massacre and bring justice to the victims.
