Guinea as a country is in limbo right now. It is no longer news that the president or should we say former… has been detained and the nation’s constitution dissolved. The mastermind behind all that is a certain Col. Mamady Doumbouya.
Col. Doumbouya cited overarching corruption and disregard for human rights, as well as economic downturn as justifications for his actions. Col. Doumbouya has a 15-year military career across CAR, the United Kingdom, Ivory Coast, and other countries. He quoted the late Ghanaian President in saying that he gave Guinea citizens their freedom from a failed system.
After capturing the President, Alpha Conde, the coup leader read out the riot act to ministers in the President’s government. Conditions banning ministers from the existing administration from travelling, and plans for a new government to be formed over the next few weeks are some of the highlights from the hostile takeover.
The nation’s borders have been shut and Doumbouya assures that the president is safe despite cries from neighboring African countries and the ECOWAS for his release. He also assures that there will be no witch hunt of serving ministers, but officials found wanting will be made to face the music.
Ironically, the opposition seems happy with the overthrow of Conde, citing that the coup is not that bad. A founding member of the FNDC, Mamoudou Nagnalen Barry claimed the coup is somewhat bittersweet otherwise Conde would have stayed in power forever.
Alpha Conde is currently running his third term.