Government of Guinea overthrown in military coup

[Kargintinia]

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/so ... 021-09-05/

CONAKRY, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Soldiers who staged an uprising in Guinea's capital on Sunday said in a short broadcast on the West African nation's state television that they have dissolved the constitution and the government in an apparent coup.

An unidentified soldier, draped in Guinea's national flag and surrounded by eight other armed soldiers, said they planned to form a transitional government and would give further details later.

Heavy gunfire broke out near the presidential palace in the capital Conakry on Sunday morning, with several sources saying an elite national army unit led by a former French legionnaire, Mamady Doumbouya, was behind the unrest.

The government of Guinea seems to have been removed by the military. This raises the potential for a power struggle and violence, as well as the resurgence of groups like the Islamic State West Africa Province and Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb amidst the possible chaos. What is your thoughts NSG?

[Kowani]

A bit more detail

A Guinean army colonel seized control of state television Sunday and declared that President Alpha Conde’s government had been dissolved and the West African nation’s borders closed, an announcement that came after hours of heavy gunfire erupted near the presidential palace.

The dramatic developments Sunday bore all the hallmarks of a West African coup d’etat. After seizing the airwaves, the mutinous soldiers vowed to restore democracy and gave themselves a name: The National Committee of Gathering and Development.

Col. Mamadi Doumbouya sat draped in a Guinean flag with a half dozen other soldiers in uniform alongside him as he read the statement, vowing: “The duty of a soldier is to save the country.”

He made no mention of Conde’s whereabouts and it was not immediately known where the 83-year-old leader was after Sunday’s attack. Conde’s popularity has plummeted since he sought a third term last year, saying that term limits did not apply to him.

“The personalization of political life is over. We will no longer entrust politics to one man, we will entrust it to the people,” Doumbouya said, adding that the constitution would also be dissolved and borders closed for one week.

Doumbouya, who has headed a special forces unit in the military, said he was acting in the best interests of the nation of over 12.7 million people. Not enough economic progress has been made since independence from France in 1958, the colonel said.

“If you see the state of our roads, if you see the state of our hospitals, you realize that after 72 years, it’s time to wake up,” he said. “We have to wake up.”

Heavy gunfire had erupted early Sunday near the presidential palace in the capital of Conakry and went on for hours, sparking fears of a coup attempt. The Defense Ministry claimed that the attack had been repelled but uncertainty grew when there was no sign of Conde on state television or radio.

His reelection in October had prompted violent street demonstrations in which the opposition said dozens were killed. Sunday’s developments underscored how he had also become vulnerable to dissenting elements within his military.

Conde came to power in 2010 in the country’s first democratic election since independence from France. Many saw his presidency as a fresh start for the country, which has been mired by decades of corrupt, authoritarian rule.

Opponents, though, say he has failed to improve the lives of Guineans, most of whom live in poverty despite the country’s vast mineral riches including bauxite and gold.

[Torrocca]

Led by a former FFL, you say?

Hmm. I'm sure this definitely isn't an act of French neocolonialism in a country formerly colonized by the French!

[Los-Altos]

At least in the stable neighboring nation of Ivory Coast the news is somewhat better. An Italian company found plenty of offshore oil and gas.

[Kragholm Free States]

Led by a former FFL, you say?

Hmm. I'm sure this definitely isn't an act of French neocolonialism in a country formerly colonized by the French!

Yes yes, no African has agency or free will, anyone south of the Sahara is merely an unwitting pawn in the nefarious schemes and machinations of the European powers.

[Munkcestrian RepubIic]

Munkchester sends its support to the deposed government.

edit: nvm thought this was II

[Torrocca]

Led by a former FFL, you say?

Hmm. I'm sure this definitely isn't an act of French neocolonialism in a country formerly colonized by the French!

Yes yes, no African has agency or free will, anyone south of the Sahara is merely an unwitting pawn in the nefarious schemes and machinations of the European powers.

Yes, because that's clearly what I said. Let's simply not be suspicious of the fact that the coup's notably led by somebody who served the French Foreign Legion, which has famously never ever been used to further French colonial and neocolonial interests. Let us also simply pretend that the French actually do not have vested neocolonial interests in their former colonies. Isn't living in ignorance blissful? C'mon, at least tell us how Françafrique isn't real!

[Alcala-Cordel]

How are the people of Guinea doing right now?

[Anagonia]

Munkchester sends its support to the deposed government.

edit: nvm thought this was II

I've made that mistake a few times. Honestly these days real news is starting to look like RP News from NS.

[Azania-]

Led by a former FFL, you say?

Hmm. I'm sure this definitely isn't an act of French neocolonialism in a country formerly colonized by the French!

Yes yes, no African has agency or free will, anyone south of the Sahara is merely an unwitting pawn in the nefarious schemes and machinations of the European powers.

Come on. It's a well-known fact that France practically dictates the policies of most of Francophone Africa. For decades now, they've consistently pushed the political scene of their former African colonies towards outcomes favourable to them and interested parties, and they haven't exactly been subtle about it either.

[Azania-]

How are the people of Guinea doing right now?

It'd be too early to say now, but historical precedent tells us that they probably won't fare well. At best everything would remain the same and little to no meaningful development will take place.

[Ethel mermania]

Seems like the coup is justified.

[Estado Novo Portugues]

Munkchester sends its support to the deposed government.

edit: nvm thought this was II

:rofl: I've made that mistake a few times. Honestly these days real news is starting to look like RP News from NS.

Perhaps those soldiers used to play NS but got bored of it, so they decided to create a nation IRL.

[Torrocca]

I've made that mistake a few times. Honestly these days real news is starting to look like RP News from NS.

Perhaps those soldiers used to play NS but got bored of it, so they decided to create a nation IRL.

I can't imagine an IRL coup created by NSers would go particularly well. It'd probably delve into factionalism and become a warlord's paradise in a week of somebody posting a controversial discussion topic on a bulletin board.

[Thermodolia]

A bit more detail

A Guinean army colonel seized control of state television Sunday and declared that President Alpha Conde’s government had been dissolved and the West African nation’s borders closed, an announcement that came after hours of heavy gunfire erupted near the presidential palace.

The dramatic developments Sunday bore all the hallmarks of a West African coup d’etat. After seizing the airwaves, the mutinous soldiers vowed to restore democracy and gave themselves a name: The National Committee of Gathering and Development.

Col. Mamadi Doumbouya sat draped in a Guinean flag with a half dozen other soldiers in uniform alongside him as he read the statement, vowing: “The duty of a soldier is to save the country.”

He made no mention of Conde’s whereabouts and it was not immediately known where the 83-year-old leader was after Sunday’s attack. Conde’s popularity has plummeted since he sought a third term last year, saying that term limits did not apply to him.

“The personalization of political life is over. We will no longer entrust politics to one man, we will entrust it to the people,” Doumbouya said, adding that the constitution would also be dissolved and borders closed for one week.

Doumbouya, who has headed a special forces unit in the military, said he was acting in the best interests of the nation of over 12.7 million people. Not enough economic progress has been made since independence from France in 1958, the colonel said.

“If you see the state of our roads, if you see the state of our hospitals, you realize that after 72 years, it’s time to wake up,” he said. “We have to wake up.”

Heavy gunfire had erupted early Sunday near the presidential palace in the capital of Conakry and went on for hours, sparking fears of a coup attempt. The Defense Ministry claimed that the attack had been repelled but uncertainty grew when there was no sign of Conde on state television or radio.

His reelection in October had prompted violent street demonstrations in which the opposition said dozens were killed. Sunday’s developments underscored how he had also become vulnerable to dissenting elements within his military.

Conde came to power in 2010 in the country’s first democratic election since independence from France. Many saw his presidency as a fresh start for the country, which has been mired by decades of corrupt, authoritarian rule.

Opponents, though, say he has failed to improve the lives of Guineans, most of whom live in poverty despite the country’s vast mineral riches including bauxite and gold.

Why is it that coups always have to name themselves “The National Committee of X”?

[Kragholm Free States]

A bit more detail

A Guinean army colonel seized control of state television Sunday and declared that President Alpha Conde’s government had been dissolved and the West African nation’s borders closed, an announcement that came after hours of heavy gunfire erupted near the presidential palace.

The dramatic developments Sunday bore all the hallmarks of a West African coup d’etat. After seizing the airwaves, the mutinous soldiers vowed to restore democracy and gave themselves a name: The National Committee of Gathering and Development.

Col. Mamadi Doumbouya sat draped in a Guinean flag with a half dozen other soldiers in uniform alongside him as he read the statement, vowing: “The duty of a soldier is to save the country.”

He made no mention of Conde’s whereabouts and it was not immediately known where the 83-year-old leader was after Sunday’s attack. Conde’s popularity has plummeted since he sought a third term last year, saying that term limits did not apply to him.

“The personalization of political life is over. We will no longer entrust politics to one man, we will entrust it to the people,” Doumbouya said, adding that the constitution would also be dissolved and borders closed for one week.

Doumbouya, who has headed a special forces unit in the military, said he was acting in the best interests of the nation of over 12.7 million people. Not enough economic progress has been made since independence from France in 1958, the colonel said.

“If you see the state of our roads, if you see the state of our hospitals, you realize that after 72 years, it’s time to wake up,” he said. “We have to wake up.”

Heavy gunfire had erupted early Sunday near the presidential palace in the capital of Conakry and went on for hours, sparking fears of a coup attempt. The Defense Ministry claimed that the attack had been repelled but uncertainty grew when there was no sign of Conde on state television or radio.

His reelection in October had prompted violent street demonstrations in which the opposition said dozens were killed. Sunday’s developments underscored how he had also become vulnerable to dissenting elements within his military.

Conde came to power in 2010 in the country’s first democratic election since independence from France. Many saw his presidency as a fresh start for the country, which has been mired by decades of corrupt, authoritarian rule.

Opponents, though, say he has failed to improve the lives of Guineans, most of whom live in poverty despite the country’s vast mineral riches including bauxite and gold.

Why is it that coups always have to name themselves “The National Committee of X”?

The national committees of A to W were already taken.

[Ethel mermania]

A bit more detail

A Guinean army colonel seized control of state television Sunday and declared that President Alpha Conde’s government had been dissolved and the West African nation’s borders closed, an announcement that came after hours of heavy gunfire erupted near the presidential palace.

The dramatic developments Sunday bore all the hallmarks of a West African coup d’etat. After seizing the airwaves, the mutinous soldiers vowed to restore democracy and gave themselves a name: The National Committee of Gathering and Development.

Col. Mamadi Doumbouya sat draped in a Guinean flag with a half dozen other soldiers in uniform alongside him as he read the statement, vowing: “The duty of a soldier is to save the country.”

He made no mention of Conde’s whereabouts and it was not immediately known where the 83-year-old leader was after Sunday’s attack. Conde’s popularity has plummeted since he sought a third term last year, saying that term limits did not apply to him.

“The personalization of political life is over. We will no longer entrust politics to one man, we will entrust it to the people,” Doumbouya said, adding that the constitution would also be dissolved and borders closed for one week.

Doumbouya, who has headed a special forces unit in the military, said he was acting in the best interests of the nation of over 12.7 million people. Not enough economic progress has been made since independence from France in 1958, the colonel said.

“If you see the state of our roads, if you see the state of our hospitals, you realize that after 72 years, it’s time to wake up,” he said. “We have to wake up.”

Heavy gunfire had erupted early Sunday near the presidential palace in the capital of Conakry and went on for hours, sparking fears of a coup attempt. The Defense Ministry claimed that the attack had been repelled but uncertainty grew when there was no sign of Conde on state television or radio.

His reelection in October had prompted violent street demonstrations in which the opposition said dozens were killed. Sunday’s developments underscored how he had also become vulnerable to dissenting elements within his military.

Conde came to power in 2010 in the country’s first democratic election since independence from France. Many saw his presidency as a fresh start for the country, which has been mired by decades of corrupt, authoritarian rule.

Opponents, though, say he has failed to improve the lives of Guineans, most of whom live in poverty despite the country’s vast mineral riches including bauxite and gold.

Why is it that coups always have to name themselves “The National Committee of X”?

KC and the sunshine band was taken.

[Azania-]

Nigerian government condemns coup in Guinea

Conde has reportedly been detained, and is seemingly shown in a picture in this picture in a Daily Post Nigeria article behind several armed gunmen. I'm not too sure of the reliability of the image though.

I wonder why the rebels have been keeping quite on Conde's whereabouts? The only thing I can think of is that they may expect resistance.

[Kowani]

Nationwide curfew instituted “until further notice”, governors replaced with military appointments

[Turk Cumhuriyeti]

Ok and what?

[Exalted Inquellian State]

Is it me or are a bunch of military junta's starting to appear over the past half decade?

[Yanitza]

Is it me or are a bunch of military junta's starting to appear over the past half decade?

I have no doubt events in Mali (three coups in 10 years) and Chad (affirmation of the military regime) have influenced the thinking of those behind the current coup.

[Yanitza]

Seems like the coup is justified.

We'll have to wait and see what thier actions are before we can call that I think.

[Punished UMN]

Wouldn't have happened to Sigma Conde.

[Kowani]

Economic Community of West African States to hold extraordinary summit on Guinea on Thursday