In a escalation of its control over Guinea, the military junta that seized power in a coup in September 2021 has announced the dissolution of the government. This announcement was made through a decree read on state TV by Brigadier General Amara Camara, the Secretary-General of the presidency. The junta has not provided a specific reason for the dissolution or indicated when a new government will be established.
Following the decree, ministers from the dissolved government have been ordered to surrender their passports and official vehicles, and their bank accounts have been frozen. In addition, the junta directed security agencies to seal all the country’s borders until the handover of government ministries to the military leadership is complete. Until a new government is appointed, lower-level officials are tasked with the temporary management of state ministries.
The government, led by Prime Minister Bernard Goumou, was installed by coup leader Mamady Doumbouya, who orchestrated the overthrow of elected President Alpha Condé in September 2021. Condé’s attempt to secure a third term had sparked widespread protests, culminating in the military takeover.
The coup in Guinea is part of a worrying trend of military takeovers in West and Central Africa, with similar events occurring in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Gabon. These actions have been condemned by the West African regional bloc ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations.
Guinea is currently under a 24-month transition period agreed upon by the junta and ECOWAS, with expectations to hold elections and restore democratic rule within 10 months.
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