“The United States condemns today’s events in Conakry,” the US State Department statement said. “These actions could limit the ability of the United States and Guinea’s other international partners to support the country as it navigates a path toward national unity and a brighter future for the Guinean people.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres previously voiced similar sentiments, condemning “any takeover of the government by force of the gun” and calling for the “immediate release of President Alpha Conde.” The African Union also called for Conde’s immediate release, while the Economic Community of West African States threatened sanctions unless Guinea’s constitutional order was restored.
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.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) September 5, 2021
The unrest broke out in the capital city on Sunday morning, with reports of heavy gunfire and heavily armed soldiers roaming the area near the presidential palace and other government buildings. By day’s end, the junta claimed to have arrested the president, disbanded the government, closed borders and declared an indefinite nationwide curfew.
A video on social media is said to show former French legionnaire #MamadyDoumbouya who says that the army has dissolved the #Guinea government and sealed the country's borders. The man in the video also said that they have taken President #AlphaConde. https://t.co/xUvGSAUEFxpic.twitter.com/5XBeO2FacP
— CGTN America (@cgtnamerica) September 6, 2021
The coup is reportedly led by Lieutenant Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, a former French legionnaire and an elite military unit commander. “We have decided, after having taken the president, to dissolve the constitution,” he said in a video cited by AFP. He also ordered Conde’s cabinet ministers to convene at 11:00 am Monday, stating that any “refusal to attend will be considered a rebellion.”