The early morning of Sunday ushered in the banging sound of gunshots as the elite army unit headed by Mamady Doumbouya sought to overthrow the incumbent Alpha Conde.
Here are some facts (historical and present) you must know:
1) If successful and unshaken, this coup might be the third in succession. The first coup was orchestrated by Lansana Conte who seized power following the death of the first post-independence leader Sekou Toure. Lansana Conte steered the political ship for a quarter century until his death in 2009.
Immediately after his death, Capt. Moussa “Dadis” Camara carried out a second coup. However, it was short-lived and he went into exile after surviving an assassination attempt.
2) Conde came to power in 2010. It was the first democratic election since the country’s independence from France. Although benefitting from democratic principles, Conde has been perceived by many to be a dictator and not adherent to the rule of law. He was currently on his third term.
DETAILS SURROUNDING THE COUP
Citizens were met in an unprecedented shock as the military under the leadership of Lt Col Mamady Doumbouya spearheaded a coup against the current president Alpha Conde. In a tense and volatile atmosphere, gunshots were heard around the vicinity of the presidential palace and government ministries in the capital, Conakry.
The TV address featured nine unnamed soldiers draped in the national flag, who said they had taken over because of rampant corruption, mismanagement and poverty.
The National Committee For Reconciliation and Development, as they are called, said the constitution had been dissolved and there would be consultations to create a new, more inclusive one.
There has also been announcements for the closure of borders for a week.
There are unconfirmed reports that three soldiers have been killed.
Alpha Conde, 83, won a third term in October in an election marred with controversies. He had the ability to go for a third term after a constitutional amendment which facilitated his rerun.
In recent weeks, the government had increased taxes to replenish state coffers and had raised the price of fuel by 20%, causing widespread frustration and opposition.
It is still uncertain whether Doumbouya has taken full control of the state. The defence ministry issued a statement saying an attack on the presidential palace had been averted.
REACTIONS
Antonio Gutérres, the United Nations Secretary General, has strongly condemn the attacks and calls for Conde’s immediate release.
The Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) has threatened to impose sanctions over what they labelled an “attempted coup”.
The African Union are planning to convey a meeting and take “appropriate measures”.
The Foreign Ministry in Nigeria called for a return to constitutional order.
The ousting of President Conde was met with jubilant chants and celebrations by the opposition and members of the public.
His current whereabouts are unknown.
