The leaders of a military coup in Guinea vowed on Monday to set up a transitional government of national unity after ousting President Alpha Conde and dissolving his cabinet, reported VOA News.
On Sunday, military leaders seized power in a coup, after arresting President Conde. They also imposed an indefinite curfew in the West African country.
In October, Conde won a third term in office after a constitutional amendment allowed him to run again. The election sparked protests across the country.
Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, who is considered the coup leader, announced the suspension of the constitution, and the closure of the country’s borders.
“A consultation will be carried out to define the major framework of the transition, then a government of national unity will be put in place to lead the transition,” Doumbouya said during a meeting with Guinea President Conde’s ministers and senior government officials.
He said at the end of the transitional phase there will be a new era for governance and economic development.
However, Mr. Doumbouya did not reveal anything about what the transition would entail or give a date for democratic elections.
The whereabouts of President Conde are still unknown after he was detained in the coup. The coup leaders have banned government officials from leaving the country and ordered them to hand over their official vehicles.
The seizure of power has been condemned by many international organizations and foreign countries.
On Sunday, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement that he strongly condemned any forceful takeover of the Guinea government. He also called for the immediate release of the president.
The African Union denounced the coup and said it plans to hold discussions on how member states should respond. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has also condemned the coup in Guinea.
