United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, on Sunday condemned the coup d’etat in Guinea and demanded the immediate release of President Alpha Condé.
According to reports, the fate of Guinea’s President, Condé, is unclear after an unverified video showed him surrounded by 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.
Guterres, in his twitter @antonioguterres strongly condemned the development.
“I am personally following the situation in Guinea very closely.
“I strongly condemn any takeover of the government by force of the gun and call for the immediate release of President Alpha Conde,’’ Guterres said.
Similarly, African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have condemned the apparent coup and demanded the immediate release of President Condé.
In a statement on Sunday, ECOWAS described the action as a clear violation of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, demanding for the immediate return to constitutional order.
President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, who is also the Chair of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, said that ECOWAS demanded the immediate and unconditional release of President Alpha Condé as well as others arrested.
“ECOWAS reaffirms its disapproval of any unconstitutional political change.
“It asks the defence and security forces to remain in a posture Republican and expresses its solidarity with the Guinean people and Government,” Akufo-Addo stated.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, also condemned the action in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
He described the action as a clear violation of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, demanding for the immediate return to constitutional order.
Akufo-Addo said: “ECOWAS notes with great concern the recent political developments which occurred in Conakry, Republic of Guinea. She condemns with the greatest firmness this coup attempt on Sunday, September 5, 2021.
“ECOWAS demands respect for the physical integrity of the President of the Republic, the Professor Alpha Condé, and his immediate and unconditional release as well as that of all the personalities arrested
“ECOWAS reaffirms its disapproval of any unconstitutional political change. She asks the defense and security forces to remain in a posture Republican and expresses its solidarity with the Guinean people and Government,” Akufo-Addo stated.
Onyeama also stated that: “The Government of Nigeria strongly condemns and rejects any unconstitutional change of government.
“And therefore calls on those behind this coup to restore constitutional order without delay and protect all lives and property.”
On Sunday evening, heavy gunfire exchange was reported near the Presidential Palace in Conakry, the country’s capital.
Following the gun battles, soldiers who call themselves the National Committee for Reconciliation and Development, appeared on TV, claiming to have dissolved the Conde-led government, taking over power.
Conde’s third term Presidency had earlier sparked violent and mass protest in the country after a disputed election in October 2020 and a new constitution in March 2020 which allowed him to sidestep the country’s two-term limit.
