The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has ordered the military in Guinea to return the country to constitutional rule immediately.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
This call comes after some military officers arrested the President and announced a coup d’etat yesterday in Conakry.
In a statement signed by President Akufo-Addo who is also the Chair of the bloc, ECOWAS asked for the immediate and unconditional release of President Alpha Condé as well as others arrested.
“ECOWAS notes with great concern the recent political developments which have occurred in Conakry, capital of the Republic of Guinea. ECOWAS condemns unreservedly the attempted coup of Sunday, September 5, 2021. ECOWAS demands respect for the physical safety of the President of the Republic, Professor Alpha Condé, and his immediate and unconditional release, as well as that of all arrested persons. ECOWAS also demands a return to constitutional order on pain of sanctions.”
“ECOWAS reaffirms its objection to any unconstitutional political change. We ask the Guinean defense and security forces to remain in a constitutional posture, and express our solidarity with the Guinean people and their government, “it added.
Videos circulating online showed Guinea’s President Alpha Condé being held captive by rebelling soldiers who have declared his government dissolved.
In one of the videos, the distraught-looking Condé is seen seated on a sofa while surrounded by soldiers. He was asked by soldiers from a unit of elite special forces to confirm he is unharmed but he did not answer.
According to a report by Reuters, the soldiers said that all land and air borders have been closed and the government dissolved.
“The only bridge connecting the mainland to the Kaloum peninsular, which houses most ministries and the presidential palace, has been sealed off and many soldiers, some heavily armed, have been posted around the palace”, a military source told Reuters news agency.
