Guinean president Alpha Conde survived a middle of the night assassination attempt in which his residence in Conakry was assaulted with bullets and rockets. Three people were killed, including one bodyguard, according to the presidency.
The Canadian Press reported that: Conde was saved because he was sleeping in a different room when the shooting erupted outside his residence at around 3 a.m. Rocket-propelled grenades landed inside the compound and one of his bodyguards was killed, said Francois Louceny Fall, Conde's chief of staff. The bedroom was ripped apart, Conde told French radio RFI.
A second attack on his residence was launched hours later while Conde was meeting with the French ambassador.
Soldiers were quickly deployed throughout the capital.
The CP added: Country watchers had long predicted that holding a democratic vote would be only a first step in ending the army's stranglehold on Guinea. The bigger question is how the new leader relates to the military, whose members had total control of state affairs and who saw their privileges diminished by the election of a civilian president.
Amazingly, the size of the Guinean military quadrupled in the final years of the military junta.
Gen. Nouhou Thiam was one of those arrested, according to police. Thiam was army chief under the previous military regime and one of Conde's first acts was to replace him.
Guinea expert Mike McGovern at Yale University said, "It sounds like a coup attempt from within the army."
Reports indicate that activity in Conakry largely ground to a halt on Tuesday.
Showing posts with label coup attempt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coup attempt. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Friday, April 24, 2009
[Guinean news] 'Coup plotters' arrested; Dadis won't stand in elections
Two junior army officers were arrested this week on suspicion of plotting a coup d'Etat against the country's military head of state Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara. Dadis was already at the airport when his trip to Libya was cancelled, reports the BBC. The broadcaster noted an increase in troop movements in Conakry in recent days.
Agence France Presse noted that: The International Crisis Group has warned that disagreements within the Guinean junta itself could endanger the transition to elections planned for later this year.
Human Rights Watch has similar concerns.
Earlier this week, Capt. Camara said he would not stand in presidential elections due this December.
Agence France Presse noted that: The International Crisis Group has warned that disagreements within the Guinean junta itself could endanger the transition to elections planned for later this year.
Human Rights Watch has similar concerns.
Earlier this week, Capt. Camara said he would not stand in presidential elections due this December.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
[Guinean news] Military seizure of power complete
As of 10:40 PM EST -- 3:40 AM Friday Guinean time
The military coup d'Etat following the death of Gen. Lansana Conté appears to have succeeded.
Most major news outlets, including Radio France Internationale and the BBC, have reported that the civilian government have conceded control of the country to the new military junta, CNDD.
A widely circulated photo shored a smiling handshake between the prime minister Ahmed Tidiane Souaré and the CNDD leader Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara. Ministers presented themselves to the military Camp Alpha Yaya Diallo after being ordered to by the junta, under threat of punishment.
Camara, the de facto new head of state, reiterated his claim that the junta had 'no ambitions to power' and would only run the country until Dec. 2010, what would have been the end of Lansana Conté's present term.
Ibrahima Fofana, secretary general of the increasingly influential USTG trade union collective, called for a national unity government.
Today, the CNDD issued a series of communiqués calling for meetings with political parties and with representatives of international institutions as well as declaring Dec. 26 a national paid holiday, on the occasion of the funeral for Gen. Conté.
The military coup d'Etat following the death of Gen. Lansana Conté appears to have succeeded.
Most major news outlets, including Radio France Internationale and the BBC, have reported that the civilian government have conceded control of the country to the new military junta, CNDD.
A widely circulated photo shored a smiling handshake between the prime minister Ahmed Tidiane Souaré and the CNDD leader Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara. Ministers presented themselves to the military Camp Alpha Yaya Diallo after being ordered to by the junta, under threat of punishment.
Camara, the de facto new head of state, reiterated his claim that the junta had 'no ambitions to power' and would only run the country until Dec. 2010, what would have been the end of Lansana Conté's present term.
Ibrahima Fofana, secretary general of the increasingly influential USTG trade union collective, called for a national unity government.
Today, the CNDD issued a series of communiqués calling for meetings with political parties and with representatives of international institutions as well as declaring Dec. 26 a national paid holiday, on the occasion of the funeral for Gen. Conté.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
[Guinean news] New junta announced; coup leader parades through Conakry
As of: 11:43 PM EST -- 4:33 AM Thursday Guinean time
Events in Guinea continue to move quickly with uncertainty remaining the one constant.
The military published a list of the 31 members to comprise the junta, which is being called the National Council for Democracy and Development (known by its French acronym CNDD).
The CNDD originally ordered a curfew on Wednesday but then lifted it for 'religious reasons.'
The junta named Captain Moussa Dadis Camara as its leader and as Guinea's new head of state. The coup appears to be led by junior members of the military as Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported that they asked senior officers to join them in consolidating martial rule.
The self-declared president Capt. Camara was paraded through the streets of Conakry as cheering crowds screamed "long live the president!", according to the Associated Press (AP).
The AP added: Initially the coup leaders promised elections within 60 days, but Camara said in a broadcast Wednesday that the 32-member junta would hold power for about two years... what would have been the end of Lansana Conté's present term in office.
According to the Guinean constitution, National Assembly president Aboubacar Somparé should become acting president of the Republic until presidential elections can be held (within 60 days). However, coup leaders have rejected the legality of this, citing the fact that the constitutional mandate of this parliament expired two years ago and new legislative elections have yet to be organized.
"This unknown captain doesn't control the army. The majority of the troops are still loyal — but one little group can cause a lot of disorder," civilian prime minister Ahmed Tidiane Souaré told the wire service.
Guinéenews reported that civil society was mobilizing to protest the 'hold up' of power by the CNDD. The main civil society organization collective issued a statement to 'condemn this attempted seizure of power by force and calls for a peaceful, constitution transition negotiated with all actors."
Longtime opposition leader Bâ Mamadou told RFI's Afrique Midi that he believes that some members of the political class have collaborated with the military, even participating in the drafting of the inital coup statement, in order to ease their way into power. But he said their efforts would fail because once the military consolidated power, they were never going to give it up.
Events in Guinea continue to move quickly with uncertainty remaining the one constant.
The military published a list of the 31 members to comprise the junta, which is being called the National Council for Democracy and Development (known by its French acronym CNDD).
The CNDD originally ordered a curfew on Wednesday but then lifted it for 'religious reasons.'
The junta named Captain Moussa Dadis Camara as its leader and as Guinea's new head of state. The coup appears to be led by junior members of the military as Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported that they asked senior officers to join them in consolidating martial rule.
The self-declared president Capt. Camara was paraded through the streets of Conakry as cheering crowds screamed "long live the president!", according to the Associated Press (AP).
The AP added: Initially the coup leaders promised elections within 60 days, but Camara said in a broadcast Wednesday that the 32-member junta would hold power for about two years... what would have been the end of Lansana Conté's present term in office.
According to the Guinean constitution, National Assembly president Aboubacar Somparé should become acting president of the Republic until presidential elections can be held (within 60 days). However, coup leaders have rejected the legality of this, citing the fact that the constitutional mandate of this parliament expired two years ago and new legislative elections have yet to be organized.
"This unknown captain doesn't control the army. The majority of the troops are still loyal — but one little group can cause a lot of disorder," civilian prime minister Ahmed Tidiane Souaré told the wire service.
Guinéenews reported that civil society was mobilizing to protest the 'hold up' of power by the CNDD. The main civil society organization collective issued a statement to 'condemn this attempted seizure of power by force and calls for a peaceful, constitution transition negotiated with all actors."
Longtime opposition leader Bâ Mamadou told RFI's Afrique Midi that he believes that some members of the political class have collaborated with the military, even participating in the drafting of the inital coup statement, in order to ease their way into power. But he said their efforts would fail because once the military consolidated power, they were never going to give it up.
[Guinean news] Situation in Guinea still confused
As of 12:13 PM EST - 5:13 PM Guinean time
The situation in Guinea remains confused a day after an attempted military coup and two days after the death of head of state Gen. Lansana Conté.
Yesterday, the purported new junta issued a statement dissolving the government, suspending the constitution and airing the usual list of grievances typically cited in military coups. This was followed shortly thereafter by a second as well as third and fourth communiqués.
The coup attempt appears to be led by junior members of the military. On the BBC World Service yesterday, the army chief denounced the action and told the soldiers to not meddle in politics. Mohammad ibn Chambas, head of the West African regional group ECOWAS, said yesterday that talks were under way between rival army factions.
Guinéenews reported yesterday that putschistes seized control of the office of the prime minister Ahmed Tidjiane Souré and that National Assembly president and constitutional acting president of the Republic Aboubacar Somparé had disappeared from public eye.
Both had told the international media that the civilian government remained the legal authority. Prime Minister Souaré told Radio France Internationale that the situation was a mere 'misunderstanding' between Guineans and that the country should focus on preparing services for the late head of state.
Nevertheless, the African Union condemned the coup attempt as did the European Union.
The International Herald Tribune reported that, this afternoon, junta spokesman Captain Moussa Dadis Camara had been named by the coup makers as Guinea's new head of state.
IHT added: Bands of roving soldiers ransacked the homes of several ministers and gunshots rang out, residents reported. The junior officers were apparently tightening their grip on strategic buildings, with their supporters firmly ensconced in the national broadcasting headquarters across the street from the American Embassy. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Also...
-A Lansana Conté obituary (BBC)
-Worries for the future in Conakry and from elsewhere (BBC)
-Fears of a wider regional war (BBC)
-More uncertainty (IRIN)
-A YouTube report on the situation (al-Jazeera).
The situation in Guinea remains confused a day after an attempted military coup and two days after the death of head of state Gen. Lansana Conté.
Yesterday, the purported new junta issued a statement dissolving the government, suspending the constitution and airing the usual list of grievances typically cited in military coups. This was followed shortly thereafter by a second as well as third and fourth communiqués.
The coup attempt appears to be led by junior members of the military. On the BBC World Service yesterday, the army chief denounced the action and told the soldiers to not meddle in politics. Mohammad ibn Chambas, head of the West African regional group ECOWAS, said yesterday that talks were under way between rival army factions.
Guinéenews reported yesterday that putschistes seized control of the office of the prime minister Ahmed Tidjiane Souré and that National Assembly president and constitutional acting president of the Republic Aboubacar Somparé had disappeared from public eye.
Both had told the international media that the civilian government remained the legal authority. Prime Minister Souaré told Radio France Internationale that the situation was a mere 'misunderstanding' between Guineans and that the country should focus on preparing services for the late head of state.
Nevertheless, the African Union condemned the coup attempt as did the European Union.
The International Herald Tribune reported that, this afternoon, junta spokesman Captain Moussa Dadis Camara had been named by the coup makers as Guinea's new head of state.
IHT added: Bands of roving soldiers ransacked the homes of several ministers and gunshots rang out, residents reported. The junior officers were apparently tightening their grip on strategic buildings, with their supporters firmly ensconced in the national broadcasting headquarters across the street from the American Embassy. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Also...
-A Lansana Conté obituary (BBC)
-Worries for the future in Conakry and from elsewhere (BBC)
-Fears of a wider regional war (BBC)
-More uncertainty (IRIN)
-A YouTube report on the situation (al-Jazeera).
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
[Guinean news] How to follow developing events in Guinea
2:10 PM EST -- 7:10 PM Guinean time
Dear Friends of Guinea,
I'm sure many of you are following with interest events in Guinea in the wake of the death of Gen. Lansana Conté and the apparent military takeover of power. I will try to update this Friends of Guinea blog on a daily basis to cover developing events. Perhaps more often if events require and time (it being the holidays) permits.
Those of you who want to follow the events more closely and can read French are encouraged to check out Guinéenews (www.guineenews.org). The site is a bit slow in loading today, presumably due to heavy traffic, however it is, as always, the most comprehensive and regularly updated site on Guinean news.
For those of you who don't speak French, your best bet is the BBC's Africa page (news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/default.stm).
You can also check out AllAfrica.com's Guinea page (allafrica.com/guinea). Or you can go to Yahoo News (news.yahoo.com) or Google News (news.google.com) and search the keyword 'Conakry'. (This works better than using 'Guinea' as a keyword because nearly all stories about Guinea are filed from Conakry or mention the capital in the story and it excludes stories related to Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea and Papua New Guinea)
Brian Farenell
RPCV Beindou '95-97
FOG blogmeister - friendsofguinea.blogspot.com
Dear Friends of Guinea,
I'm sure many of you are following with interest events in Guinea in the wake of the death of Gen. Lansana Conté and the apparent military takeover of power. I will try to update this Friends of Guinea blog on a daily basis to cover developing events. Perhaps more often if events require and time (it being the holidays) permits.
Those of you who want to follow the events more closely and can read French are encouraged to check out Guinéenews (www.guineenews.org). The site is a bit slow in loading today, presumably due to heavy traffic, however it is, as always, the most comprehensive and regularly updated site on Guinean news.
For those of you who don't speak French, your best bet is the BBC's Africa page (news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/default.stm).
You can also check out AllAfrica.com's Guinea page (allafrica.com/guinea). Or you can go to Yahoo News (news.yahoo.com) or Google News (news.google.com) and search the keyword 'Conakry'. (This works better than using 'Guinea' as a keyword because nearly all stories about Guinea are filed from Conakry or mention the capital in the story and it excludes stories related to Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea and Papua New Guinea)
Brian Farenell
RPCV Beindou '95-97
FOG blogmeister - friendsofguinea.blogspot.com
[Guinean news] Reported coup in Guinea following Conté's death
9:12 AM EST -- 2:12 PM Guinean time
The BBC is reporting that there has been an army coup in Guinea following the death yesterday of the head of state Gen. Lansana Conté. An army officer told state radio that the constitution had been suspended, the government dissolved and ministers rounded up 'to guarantee their security.'
The prime minister rejected the coup and insisted that the government 'continues to function as it should.' The National Assembly president, who constitutionally, would become acting president of the Republic, said he did not think the military was behind the attempted rebellion.
Shortly after the prime minister's remarks, the Associated Press reported a phalanx of tanks and armed soldiers heading toward the head of government's office.
The BBC notes that residents of Conakry are nervous about the transition of power, especially in the face of longstanding reports of ethnic divisions within the army.
The BBC is reporting that there has been an army coup in Guinea following the death yesterday of the head of state Gen. Lansana Conté. An army officer told state radio that the constitution had been suspended, the government dissolved and ministers rounded up 'to guarantee their security.'
The prime minister rejected the coup and insisted that the government 'continues to function as it should.' The National Assembly president, who constitutionally, would become acting president of the Republic, said he did not think the military was behind the attempted rebellion.
Shortly after the prime minister's remarks, the Associated Press reported a phalanx of tanks and armed soldiers heading toward the head of government's office.
The BBC notes that residents of Conakry are nervous about the transition of power, especially in the face of longstanding reports of ethnic divisions within the army.
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