Guinea’s Military Dissolves Government and Seals Borders

Guinea – The military junta that overthrew Guinea’s government in a coup in September 2021 has repealed it. Brig. Gen. Amara Camara, the secretary general of the president, made the news on Monday, February 19, 2024, by reading aloud a proclamation on national television.

Regarding the reason for the split and the timeliness of the new government’s installation, Mr. Camara said nothing. The ministers of the administration were asked to surrender their official vehicles and passports.

The BBC reports that officials’ bank accounts have been placed on hold. In addition, the junta has instructed security agencies to “seal” all national borders until all government ministries have been fully established.

According to Mr. Camara, state ministries would be temporarily headed by lower-level officials until a new administration is established.

Bernard Goumou, the prime minister nominated by coup leader Mamady Doumbouya, headed the disbanded government.

Following a string of demonstrations against Alpha Condé’s contentious attempt for a third term, Col. Doumbouya led Guinea’s armed forces to topple the elected leader in September 2021.

In recent years, coups have occurred in Guinea and numerous other nations in West and Central Africa. The others are Gabon, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali.

The West African regional bloc Ecowas has strongly condemned the coups, as have the United Nations and the African Union. Guinea is expected to hold elections to restore democratic rule in ten months, after the 24-month transition time set between the junta and Ecowas, according to a BBC report.

Photo credit: BBC