(ANSA) - ROME, SEPTEMBER 05 - Coup d'état in Guinea today, where the head of military special forces, Lieutenant Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, a former foreign Legion officer, announced on state television that he had "dissolved the government and canceled the Constitution" and to have captured President Alpha Conde.
Doumbouya said he overthrew the government due to "mismanagement" at the end of an odd confusing day and fear for the capital's residents and conflicting news. Witnesses reported early morning gunshots and military personnel in the streets of the central Kaloum neighborhood, where the president was staying. Then the coup leaders proclaimed his capture while, in the same hours, the government received announcements of an attempt rejected with the arrest of 25 rebels.
The UN condemned the action, demanding the release of Conde. In the deserted streets only men in uniform wander around. The civilians are kept safe, including the Moroccan national football team, which tomorrow was supposed to play a qualifying match for the World Cup with Guinea, which remained locked in the hotel waiting for a flight to take them home. (HANDLE).