Soldiers declaring seizure of power
Guinea’s Special Forces staged a plot on Sunday to arrest President Alpha Conte.
The leaders of the plot announced a curfew order throughout Guinea “until further notice,” as well as to replace the military rulers of the regions.
In a video clip sent to Agence France-Presse, a uniformed officer surrounded by several soldiers armed with guns said: “After the arrest of the president, we have made a decision to dissolve the constitution.”
The official added that Guinea’s airspace and territory had been closed and the government disbanded.
In a statement, the leaders of the revolution announced a meeting with Conte government ministers and other top officials at 11:00 GMT in the capital, Conakry, on Monday.
The fate of Guinean President Conte is unknown, after he appeared in a video clip, surrounded by troops who are said to have been captured by authorities.
The military appeared on state television, saying they had “dissolved the government.”
Nevertheless, the Ministry of Defense announced that the coup attempt had been thwarted by the Presidential Security Forces.
It came hours after heavy gunfire near the presidential palace in the capital, Conakry.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the African Union have condemned the plot to demand the immediate release of the Guinean president.
Although Guinea is rich in natural resources, years of turmoil and mismanagement have made West Africa one of the poorest countries in the world.
The leader is barefoot
Appeared in a televised speech, nine players did not reveal their names. Many of them wear the colors of the national flag and claim to have seized power due to corruption, mismanagement and poverty.
The soldiers called themselves the “National Committee for Reconciliation and Development”, announcing the dissolution of the constitution, and intended to hold consultations on a new, comprehensive constitution.
There were several reports that the conspiracy was being carried out by an elite military unit under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Mamati Tamboya.
In the released video, which has not yet been verified by the BBC, Army Chief Conte, 83, is asked to confirm that he has no injuries, but he refuses to respond.
The president appeared barefoot, sitting on the sofa, wearing jeans, showing no injuries. There is no information about his current location.
Conspiracy officials said the country’s airspace and territory had been closed for a week.
Image released, AFP
Violent armed clashes erupted for several hours near the presidential palace
But the Ministry of Defense declared that forces loyal to the president had “threatened and repulsed the group of attackers.”
The Reuters news agency quoted a military source as saying that the only bridge connecting the mainland to the island at the time of the location of the Ministries and the Presidential Palace was currently closed. Several armed soldiers were stationed around the palace.
There were unconfirmed reports that three soldiers had been killed.
Opposition supporters and activists took to the streets following the news of the coup.
The decision to postpone the match between Guinea and Morocco in the African qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup was the result of unrest. FIFA said the decision was made “for the safety and security of all players and to protect match officials”.
The Moroccan national team was suspended in Guinea following the revolution, and it was reported to be waiting for permission from the Moroccan embassy to go to the airport.
Amid protests, President Conte was re-elected for a third term last year.
Conte, a senior opposition leader, was first elected in 2010 in the country’s first democratic transition. Despite overseeing some economic developments, he was accused of numerous human rights violations and persecution of his opponents.
Image released, Getty Images
Analysis: Maine Jones
BBC correspondent in Nigeria
The players, who called themselves the “Reconciliation and Development Team”, made the necessary noise during their televised speech.
The news of the repeal of the constitution and consultation with the public was welcomed by those frustrated by last year’s constitutional change, which allowed President Alpha Conte to run for a third term.
In fact, opposition activists and supporters celebrated in the streets of the capital.
But military councils are notorious for buzz. With no one to hold them accountable, there is no guarantee that their promises will be fulfilled.
There are those who worry that this latest conspiracy is further evidence of the gradual deterioration of democratic values in the region.
A fourth coup attempt in West Africa is taking place in Guinea in less than a year after it seized power in Guinea twice and lost in Niger.
Competing constitutional reforms in Guinea and C டிte d’Ivoire appear to be declining. The region was followed by a peaceful transition of power in the 1990s and the beginning of the twenty-first century.
Ultimately, the people of West Africa will pay the price for the erosion of democratic institutions, without their fate and the protection of those institutions.
“Creator. Award-winning problem solver. Music evangelist. Incurable introvert.”
