By Victor Osula, Abuja
Coup plotters led Colonel Mamady Doumbouya of the Guinea military who toppled President Alpha Conde from power after 11 years rein, claimed in a video recorded in the capital Conakry that widespread corruption, poverty and arbitrary rule that divided the country along ethnic lines as Conde favoured his Madinka group over others as key reasons for the takeover.
Doumbouya, surrounded by loyal soldiers who draped themselves in the yellow, red green flag of the country, announced immediate dissolution of the National Assembly, suspended the Constitution with a promise to convene a constitutional conference involving all 24 ethnic groups of a little over 10 million population to draft a new, Peoples Constitution.
Doumbuoya said in a broadcast: “The motive for the takeover is because of rampant corruption, mismanagement and the hardship seen in the country.
“I’m Dumbuya, and I’m forming CNRD, which will steer the country through a transition. I have dissolved the Parliament and Government. I’m ordering the suspension of the Constitution and ordered the closure of the land, border and air space
A video has also circulated on social media showing President Alpha Conde in coloured shirt over blue jeans on a settee being held by helmeted soldiers before he was pushed into a vehicle and driven away to an unknown destination.
The development came after residents heard about two hours of heavy gunfire across the capital.
Mr Doumbouya said all land and air routes have been shut in the interim, asking citizens to remain at home and await further instruction on the direction of the government.
Mr Conde 83, won a third term of office last October after ignoring protest to amend the Constitution that allowed him to contest for a third 5-year term.
Born 4 March 1938, Conde became the president of Guinea in December 2010 after several attempts.
He was a leading activist and was variously persecuted by the country’s previous leaders, including Lansana Conte, who ordered his execution in absentia after fleeing the country and going into exile.
After his famous victory and assumption of office in 2010, many thought a messiah has arrived but he unravelled just few months later into a political monster.
Except for Nigeria, which has condemned the coup, regional body ECOWAS and Continental body AU has yet to release a statement about the development.
The Nigerian Federal Government in a statement titled, ‘Nigerian Government Condemns Could D’Etat In Guinea,’ signed by the Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esther Sunsuwa, said the putcsh violates WCOWAS protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
According to her, “The Nigerian government is saddened by the apparent coup d’etat that has taken place in the Republic of Guinea today, in clear violation of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
“The Government of Nigeria strongly condemns and rejects any unconstitutional change of government and therefore calls on those behind the coup to restore constitutional order without delay and protect lives and property.”
