FEATURED
‘Rampant Corruption, Mismanagement, Poverty Blamed For Military Coup In Guinea’
The fate of Guinea’s President Alpha Condé is unclear after an unverified video showed him in the hands of soldiers, who said they had seized power.
They appeared on national TV claiming to have dissolved the government.
However, the defence ministry said the attempted takeover had been thwarted by the presidential guard.
This follows hours of heavy gunfire near the presidential palace in the capital, Conakry.
The TV address featured nine unnamed soldiers, several draped in the red, gold and green national flag, who said they had taken over because of rampant corruption, mismanagement and poverty.
Calling themselves the National Committee for Reconciliation and Development, they said the constitution had been dissolved and that there would be consultations to create a new, more inclusive one.
Numerous reports say the coup was led by an elite unit headed by a former French legionnaire, Lt Col Mamady Doumbouya.
In one video, which the BBC has not been able to verify, soldiers ask President Condé to confirm he is unharmed but he refuses to respond.
Sitting barefoot on a sofa wearing jeans and a printed shirt, he does not have any visible injuries.
Those behind the coup said that all land and air borders had been closed for a week.
However, according to the defence ministry, forces loyal to the president have “contained the threat and repelled the group of assailants”.
Earlier, the only bridge connecting the mainland to the Kaloum peninsular, which houses most ministries and the presidential palace, was sealed off while many soldiers, some heavily armed, were posted around the palace, a military source told Reuters news agency.
There are unconfirmed reports that three soldiers have been killed.
President Condé was re-elected for a controversial third term in office amid violent protests last year.
(This story excluding headline contains information from BBC)
Continue Reading
FEATURED57 minutes ago
Amid Report of Killing of ‘Army General’, DHQ Narrates How Troops Repelled Terrorist Attack in Benisheikh
FEATURED1 hour ago
FG Inaugurates Technical Committee to Review $200bn Proposed Integrated Gas, Powwr and Rail Projects
FEATURED2 hours ago
N5,000 Note Featuring President Tinubu’s Image Fake – CBN
BUSINESS3 hours ago
Delta Highlights Maritime Potential to Attract Investors at Abuja Blue Economy Summit
FEATURED4 hours ago
EFCC Busts Yahoo Academy in Abuja, Nabs 31 Suspects
FEATURED9 hours ago
Alleged N3.6Bn Fraud: EFCC Appeals Acquittal of Former NDDC Director, Omatsuli, Three Others
FEATURED17 hours ago
‘We Run Decentralized Pipeline Security Operations’, Says Tantita’s MD Pondi
NEWS1 day ago
Pipeline Security Has Boosted Oil Production, Says NNPCL GCEO Ojulari
FEATURED1 day ago
Delta Police Foil Robbery in Agbor, Arrest Suspect, Recover Battle Axe, Firearm
FEATURED1 day ago
A’Court Upholds Conviction of Philemon Ibrahim Gora for Alleged N11bn Fraud Linked to Ponzi Scheme
FEATURED1 day ago
Football Agent in EFCC Net for Alleged N11m Fraud
BUSINESS1 day ago
Delta Moves to Build Its Own Grid as Oborevwori Seeks Partnernership With Energy Experts
BUSINESS1 day ago
NNPCL Launches Cawthorne Crude onto Global Market, Exports First Cargo to Netherlands
FEATURED1 day ago
Itsekiri Coalition Back Tantita, PINL, Call for Centralized Pipeline Security, Oppose Decentralization
OPINION2 days ago