The soldiers who carried out a coup against Guinean President Alpha Conde on Sunday announced that military officers have assumed political leadership (Reuters) of the country’s regions and districts. The United States, the United Nations, and the African Union condemned the coup (Al Jazeera)—Central and West Africa’s third since April—and called for an immediate return to civilian rule. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) threatened sanctions and scheduled an emergency meeting (Reuters) on Thursday.
Conde became Guinea’s first democratically elected president in 2010, but his move to change the constitution and sidestep a two-term limit in 2020 sparked protests. On Sunday, gunfire was heard (NYT) in the capital of Conakry, and military officers arrested Conde. Military special forces commander Mamady Doumbouya said the government and the constitution were dissolved.
Analysis
“This must trouble African strongmen. You couldn’t construct & protect your power with more loyalty than Condé did with Col. Doumbouya. Presumably, the next best thing is to put a brother, son, or daughter in charge – but even that, history teaches us – is no guarantee,” journalist Charles Onyango-Obbo tweets.
“[ECOWAS], though, has its own credibility problems. It allowed not only Conde but also Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara to seek third terms last year despite the constitutional wrangling needed,” the Associated Press’ Krista Larson writes.
