Guinea: The military in Guinea, which overthrew the government more than two years ago, has announced plans to dissolve the interim government and install a new administration.
Army leaders released a video statement saying that cabinet directors, secretaries-general and their deputies will remain in charge until a new government is formed. The government is in power from July 2022. The Secretary-General of the Presidency, Amara Camara, was accompanied by a group of military officials and several armed and masked soldiers in the pre-recorded video as he delivered the unexpected news.
Camara did not provide specific details such as how the unprovoked dismissal would immediately affect the country or who would be the senior members of the new government. The first democratically elected president of Guinea, Alpha Conde, was ousted in a military coup in September 2021. Colonel Mamady Doumbouya had promised to return power to elected civilians by the end of 2024, under international pressure.
The country’s military forces staged a coup following a period of political tension in Guinea triggered by President Conde’s controversial bid for a third term. In March 2020, the former president was elected following the passing of a new constitution which allowed him to disregard the country’s two-term limit and run for a third term.
Dozens of people were killed at the time during protests against Condé’s third term after conflicts with security squads. Hundreds more were detained by authorities. The government had also captured several major opposition members for their alleged role in inciting and encouraging election violence in Guinea.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the major economic and political bloc in the region, is urging the military to hold elections and restore civilian rule. In October 2022, Guinea’s military leaders and ECOWAS agreed to a 24-month transition period.
MOST READ | African Union suspends Gabon after military coup
