Enlarge image
The President of Guinea, Alpha Conde, with the military: Where the photo was taken and where Conde is now is unclear
Photo: GUINEA MILITARY HANDOUT / EPA
After an alleged attempted coup in Guinea, West Africa, UN Secretary General António Guterres condemned "any takeover of government by force of arms." Guterres called for the immediate release of President Alpha Condé on Sunday evening on Twitter. According to a statement from the British Embassy in Conakry, there had been ongoing exchanges of fire in several locations in the capital during the day. The British Ambassador David McIlroy condemned on Twitter "the attempt to remove the President of Guinea by force" from office.
Several initially unverifiable videos were circulating on social media that Condé is said to have been overthrown.
A video with the state broadcaster's logo featured several men in military uniforms and with the national flag - one of whom claimed the government had been deposed.
He also said the constitution was suspended and the country's borders were closed.
In another video, Condé himself was seen with men in military uniform.
The whereabouts of the 83-year-old president was initially unclear.
The French-language broadcaster TV5 Monde and other media reported that the Guinea Ministry of Defense said in the afternoon that insurgents had been repulsed by the Presidential Guard and other security forces.
An eyewitness told the German Press Agency that the situation was very tense.
There were firefights, especially near the presidential palace in the Kaloum district.
The military is said to be patrolling the streets of Conakry.
The African Union also issued a statement condemning “any violent takeover” and calling for Condé's immediate release.
British Ambassador McIlroy said that all parties are being called on to engage in peaceful and constructive dialogue.
This Monday, a qualifying game between Morocco and Guinea for the 2022 World Cup should take place in Conakry.
Due to the "very volatile" political and security situation, the game will be postponed, Fifa announced on Sunday evening.
President Condé came to power in 2010 in the first free democratic election since Guinea's independence in 1958.
Reforms in the economy and in the armed forces are attributed to him, and he provided more stability after decades of politically turbulent decades.
Critics, however, describe Condé as an increasingly authoritarian ruler whose term of office was marked by human rights violations.
In 2020 he secured a third term in office after a controversial constitutional amendment.
The vote was preceded by months of political tension and violent protests.
nek / dpa
