The Passing of Guinea’s President Leads to a Military Coup
By Heather Konjura
January 21, 2009

On December 22, 2008, Guinea’s long-time President, Lansana Conte, died after a long, undisclosed illness.  The Associated Press writes that “Mr. Conte was one of the last members of a dwindling group…who came to power by the gun and resisted the democratic tide sweeping the continent.”  The same Associated Press article writes that “In 1984, a week after the death of Guinea’s first president, Ahmed Sekou Toure, Lansana Conte ‘seized power in a military coup.’  Mr. Conte quickly established himself as the sole leader of the military junta.  As a post-Cold War democracy wave swept Africa, Mr. Conte formed a political party and in 1993 won the country's first multiparty presidential election.  He was reelected in 1998 and 2003, though the opposition rejected the elections, protesting that they were flawed.”

According to Reuters, after President Conte’s death, Guinea’s Prime Minister, Ahmed Tidiane Souare, appeared on state television with the president of the National Assembly, Aboubacar Somparé.  Mr. Somparé asked the country’s Supreme Court to name Mr. Souare as president, in accordance with the Guinea Constitution.  However, the New York Times writes that “Junior and mid-ranking officers rushed to fill the power gap.  They started by storming the state radio and television headquarters. They then tightened their grip by taking control of administrative buildings and army bases.”  The junior officers “announced that their spokesman, Moussa Dadis Camara, an army captain, was the country’s new president.”  During this time, Prime Minister Souare went into hiding and ceded power.  The Associated Press writes that Mr. Camara announced he would “wipe out corruption and hold elections within two years.” 

The Associated Press reports that “West Africa's regional economic body has suspended Guinea's membership following a military coup in the country.  The decision was taken in an extraordinary session of leaders of countries in the 15-member Economic Community of West African States in Nigeria's capital, Abuja.  In a statement read by ECOWAS Commission president Mohammed Ibn Chambas, the group strongly condemned the Dec. 23 coup and said it had ‘suspended Guinea from all meetings of ECOWAS at heads of state (or) ministerial levels, until constitutional order is restored.’"

A Press Release issued by The U.S. Department of State on January 12, 2009, writes “The United States welcomes the decision by the heads of government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to suspend Guinea's membership until elections are held.  We support the efforts of ECOWAS and the African Union to speed Guinea's transition to civilian rule.  We reiterate our call for a return to civilian rule and the holding of free, fair and transparent elections as soon as possible.”

On January 16, 2009, the U.S. Department of State issued an additional Press Release stating that “The United States takes note of the Guinean junta's announcement establishing a cabinet of military officers and civilians.  The United States calls on the junta to publicly announce a date for presidential and parliamentary elections in 2009 so Guinea’s Independent National Election Commission (CENI) can ensure the electoral process and elections are credible, free, fair, transparent and timely.”

References:

Associated Press – West African Regional Body Suspends Guinea

Associated Press – Guinea's Ruler Dies After Long Illness

Associated Press – Guinea Dictator Lansana Conte; Resisted Democratic Wave in Africa

Associated Press – Coup Leader in Guinea Promises Elections Within Two Years

The New York Times – Military Coup Succeeds Easily in Guinea

The New York Times – Leader of Guinea For 24 Years Dies

U.S. Department of State – U.S. Welcomes ECOWAS Suspension of Guinea

U.S. Department of State – U.S. Calls on Guinea Junta to Announce 2009 National Elections

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