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Many Guineans celebrate as soldiers seize power

President Conde, in power for more than a decade, saw his popularity plummet since he sought a third term last year.

Alpha Conde, president of the Republic of Guinea, centre, was detained by special forces in the capital Conakry. [Handout via EPA]
Published On 6 Sep 20216 Sep 2021
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Mutinying soldiers in the West African nation of Guinea detained President Alpha Conde after hours of heavy gunfire rang out near the presidential palace in Conakry.

Hundreds of people celebrated on the streets with members of Guinea’s armed forces after Conde’s arrest. The coup-makers announced on state television on Sunday the government had been dissolved.

They also announced plans to replace Guinea’s governors with regional military commanders.

The country’s borders were closed and its constitution declared invalid in the announcement read by army Colonel Mamady Doumbouya. “The duty of a soldier is to save the country,” he said.

A video emerged showing the 83-year-old Conde, looking tired and dishevelled, in military custody.

Conde, in power for more than a decade, had seen his popularity plummet since he sought a third term last year, saying term limits did not apply to him.

People celebrate on the streets with members of Guinea's armed forces after the arrest of President Alpha Conde. [Cellou Binani/AFP]
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Guinean special forces seized power in a coup d'etat, arresting the president and imposing an indefinite curfew in the West African country. [Cellou Binani/AFP]
The coup leaders announced plans to replace Guinea's governors with regional military commanders. [Cellou Binani/AFP]
People celebrate with members of Guinea's armed forces on Sunday. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) threatened to impose sanctions while the African Union said it would meet urgently and take "appropriate measures". [Cellou Binani/AFP]
The United States said violence and any extra-constitutional measures would only erode Guinea’s prospects for peace, stability and prosperity. [Cellou Binani/AFP]
Members of Guinea's armed forces celebrate after the arrest of the president. [Cellou Binani/AFP]
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Elite army unit head Mamady Doumbouya said "poverty and endemic corruption" had driven his forces to remove President Conde from office. [Cellou Binani/AFP]


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