Uncertainty In Guinea As France-Trained Coup Leader Yet To Secure Troops’ Support

There is uncertainty as to where the loyalty of certain members of the Republic of Guinea Armed Forces lies following the ousting of President Alpha Conde by special forces led by France-trained Colonel Mamady Doumbouya.

The country’s armed forces are spread across five branches – army, navy, air force, the paramilitary National Police and the Republican Guard.

State media reported that the gunfire that ensued at the Presidential palace on Sunday, leading to Conde’s capture and toppling, was between the coup plotters and loyal forces christened the Autonomous Presidential Security Battalion (BASP).

Reuters reports that while the army unit appeared to have Conde in detention, other branches of the country’s army are yet to publicly support the episode.

The fire exchange between the forces on Sunday also allegedly led to the death of several soldiers, according to Guineenews.

Meanwhile, Doumbouya, who summoned government officials to a meeting on Monday, said the forces were committed to transiting to a democratic government in due course.

“To prevent the country from falling into the abyss, we National Committee for the Rally and Development (CNRD) took our responsibilities like any Republican soldier. We want to place the transition that is opening under the sign of hope and of a new Guinea reconciled with itself, with all the sons of the country,” he said.

But the international community, especially the United Nations, European Union, African Union and regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States have declared the coup as unconstitutional.

They, having issued separate statements, seek the immediate restoration of democracy.

Conde had reigned as the country’s president from December 2010 to September 2021.

He was also a former Chairperson of the AU.