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2021 Guinean coup d'état

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2021 Guinean coup d'état

Map of Guinea.
Date5 September 2021
Location
Conakry, Guinea
9°31′N 13°42′W / 9.517°N 13.700°W / 9.517; -13.700
Result

Military coup d'état successful

  • President Alpha Condé captured.
  • Constitution and Government declared dissolved.
Belligerents
Guinea Government

Guinea National Committee of Reconciliation and Development (CRND)

Commanders and leaders
Alpha Condé Mamady Doumbouya
2021 Guinean coup d'état is located in Guinea
2021 Guinean coup d'état
class=notpageimage|
Nexus of coup in Conakry (marked green), Guinea

The 2021 Guinean coup d'état is a government takeover made by the armed forces of Guinea on 5 September 2021. It has resulted in the capture of the country's president, Alpha Condé, after gunfire in the capital Conakry. The special forces commander Mamady Doumbouya released a broadcast on state television announcing the dissolution of the constitution and government.

After several decades of authoritarian rule in Guinea, Condé was the first person to be democratically chosen as head of the republic. During his time in office, Guinea used its rich natural resoures to uplift the economy, but the bulk of the country's population has not felt much improvement. In 2020, Condé had the constitution changed and got his third term, but not without controversy. During his last year of rule, Condé cracked down on opposition candidates, some of whom died in prison, while the government struggled to contain price increases in basic commodities. In August 2021, in an attempt to balance the budget, Guinea announced tax hikes while slashing costs on the police and the military, but increased funding for the President and parliament.

The coup started in the morning of 5 September, when the military surrounded the presidential palace and cordoned off the government district. After a shootout with pro-government forces, the mutineers, who appear to be led by Col. Mamady Doumbouya of the country's special forces, took the president hostage, announced dissolution of the government and its institutions, annulled the constitution and sealed off the borders. Other countries have so far called for the coup to stop and for the constitutional order to return.

Background

Alpha Condé in 2020

From the country's independence from France in 1958 until 2010, Guinea was ruled by autocratic regimes including "decades of corrupt rule".[1] In 2008, a military coup has been instigated shortly after the death of Lansana Conté, but the military stepped down in 2010. Alpha Condé was the first president to be peacefully and democratically elected to the office of President of Guinea in 2010.[2] He was re-elected in 2015.[3][4] The country had a two-term presidential limit, but the 2020 constitutional referendum included a provision extending the length of terms and allowed Condé to "reset" his term limit and seek two more terms.[5] After the constitutional amendment was approved, Condé won the 2020 presidential election and thus a third term in office. However, this was followed by protests against the President, with opposition candidates accusing Condé of ballot stuffing.[2][6] France distanced itself from Condé following the 2020 election, leaving Russia as one of few powerful countries continuing to align itself with him.[7] This happened as fellow West African and Central African countries have experienced democratic backsliding: Chad went through its own military takeover in April 2021, Mali had two such overthrows in a year (in August 2020 and May 2021), while Ivory Coast elected a president for a third term amid considerable controversy and allegations of fraud.[7]

During Condé's regime, some improvements have been made to the economy. The country has built its wealth upon its extensive resources, particularly bauxite, but also the extraction of diamonds as well iron and gold ores. However, government mismanagement has resulted in a failure to bring financial benefits for most citizens, and the communities around the mines have not been adequately compensated for land, water and health losses connected with the mineral extraction.[8][9][10]

Starting from the presidential election, opposition politicians, who were contesting the legitimacy of Condé's mandate, were repressed.[11] For example, Mamady Condé was arrested on January 2021, while Roger Bamba, the leader of Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG), an opposition party, and Mamadou Oury Barry both died in prison. Prisons in the country, according to the Human Rights Watch, have very poor conditions.[12]

In addition, prices of grain, flour and sugar rose sharply.[13] As a result, the government made an attempt in January 2021 to set the bread price at a higher level, but quickly backpedalled amid outcry that the decree caused.[14] However, this led to bread shortages in Nzérékoré because bakers refused to produce bread at regulated prices of 2,500 francs a loaf.[15] After ten days of standoff between bakers and the prefecture government, the authorities granted permission to sell the bread at 4,000 francs.[16] Similar increases were also reported elsewhere in the country.[17] Public discontent ensued as a result.

Guineans in support the coup d'état on a truck, 5 September 2021

The economy in 2021 came battered as the COVID-19 pandemic loomed on the country.[18] A month before the putsch attempt took place, increases in petrol prices from 9,000 to 11,000 Guinean francs (US$1.12) per litre were announced.[19] New taxes and tax hikes were approved in the weeks preceding the coup in an effort to balance the budget.[10] The budget included provisions which increased funding of the National Assembly and presidential services but cut off some support for the security forces, such as the police and the military.[20] A Western diplomat told The Daily Telegraph that the attack was provoked by the government trying to dismiss a senior member of the country's special forces.[21]

Coup

The gunfire started at around 8 a.m. local time (GMT) near the Presidential Palace.[22] Witnesses were also reporting that the soldiers had cut off the Kaloum neighbourhood, which hosts many government offices,[23] and that the officers told people to stay home.[2] While the ministry of defence said that the attack had been contained,[24] photos first appeared of Condé being taken out of the building,[22] and, shortly afterwards, videos were soon posted of Condé being held by members of the Guinean military,[22][25] which were verified by a senior European intelligence official.[7]

Guineans rallying in support of the coup d'état in Conakry, 5 September 2021

Col. Mamady Doumbouya issued a broadcast on state television, RTG, in which he said the government and its institutions were dissolved, the constitution was annulled and Guinea's borders were closed.[25][2] In the broadcast, he said that the National Committee of Reconciliation and Development (Template:Lang-fr, CNRD) would steer the country for an 18-month transition period.[24][26][23] Doumbouya, a former French legionnaire who returned to Guinea in 2018 to take command of the Groupement des forces spéciales (Special Forces Group), an elite unit of the Guinean armed forces, is reported to be the instigator of the coup attempt.[27][22]

After the president was deposed, crowds were reported to be cheering on the news of the government overthrow.[7][10][18] In the evening, the coup leaders announced a national curfew from 8 p.m. on 5 September "until further notice", while pledging to replace heads of the regions and prefectures by military commissioners and replacing ministers by general secretaries the following morning.[11][18] As of the evening of 5 September, the putschists declared control over all of Conakry and claimed to have control over all of the country's armed forces.[18]

Impact

A FIFA World Cup qualification match between Guinea and Morocco scheduled for 6 September was postponed due to the coup. The Morocco team were trapped in their hotel until they were able to evacuate to a local airport.[28][29]

International reactions

Intergovernmental institutions

Countries

Domestic

Jacques Gbonimy, head of the opposition Union for the Progress of Guinea (UPG), stated in an interview to Guinée Matin that he was not surprised by the coup, maintaining that "all the conditions were met for the army to seize power" and blamed mismanagement of Condé's government for the overthrow. While he did not support nor oppose the putschists, he said that he was satisfied by the way the military handled the takeover.[36] Saikou Yaya of the Union of Republican Forces (UFR), also in opposition during Condé's regime, has similarly argued that the government not listening to the opposition and the Guinean people led to the coup.[37]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Guinea: Soldiers claim to have seized power and dissolved government as president 'detained'". Sky News. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d "Tentative de coup d'Etat en Guinée, des putschistes affirment détenir le président Alpha Condé". Le Monde (in French). 5 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  3. ^ Bah, Youssouf; Paquette, Danielle (5 September 2021). "Guinea's president is detained in apparent military takeover". The Washington Post. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  4. ^ editing (5 September 2021). "BREAKING: Fear Of Military Coup Hits Guinea As Heavy Gunfire Is Reported Near Presidential Palace". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Guinea elections: Alpha Condé wins third term amid violent protests". BBC News. 24 October 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  6. ^ "Guinea: At least 50 people killed with impunity during protests in less than a year". Amnesty International. 1 October 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d Bariyo, Nicholas; Faucon, Benoît (5 September 2021). "Military Faction Stages Coup in Mineral-Rich Guinea". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  8. ^ "Guinea coup attempt: Soldiers claim to seize power from Alpha Condé". BBC News. 5 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  9. ^ "What Do We Get Out of It? - The Human Rights Impact of Bauxite Mining in Guinea". Human Rights Watch. 4 October 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ a b c d Samb, Sailou (5 September 2021). "Elite Guinea army unit says it has toppled president". Reuters. Retrieved 5 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ a b c "Army seizes power in Guinea, holds president". AFP. 5 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021 – via France 24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ "Guinée : tout savoir sur le coup d'Etat contre Alpha Condé". Le Journal de l'Afrique. 5 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  13. ^ "Guinée : le prix du pain toujours en hausse malgré l'injonction du chef de l'Etat". Guinéenews (in French). 25 January 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ Guinee7.com (19 January 2021). "Prix du pain/Voici pourquoi Alpha Condé a fait changer d'avis « Big Up »". Guinee7.com (in French). Retrieved 5 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ bishba (22 March 2021). "Guinée/N'Zérékoré : pénurie de pain dans la ville sur fond de désaccord entre autorités et boulangers". Sunuker.net: Le Sénégal de la Téranga dans le Web. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  16. ^ "N'Zérékoré : les boulangers autorisés finalement à vendre le pain à 4000 francs". Guinée Matin - Les Nouvelles de la Guinée profonde (in French). 3 April 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ LEDJELY.COM (28 January 2020). "Secteur du pain : de la hausse des prix au risque de pénurie". Ledjely.com (in French). Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  18. ^ a b c d e "Coup d'État en Guinée, le président Alpha Condé capturé par les putschistes". AFP (in Canadian French). 5 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021 – via Radio-Canada.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ "Guinée : le coup de pompe d'Alpha Condé". Le Journal de l'Afrique. 5 August 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  20. ^ "Guinea in turmoil as soldiers claim they have taken over". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 5 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ Staff, Our Foreign (5 September 2021). "Guinea rocked by 'attempted coup' after gunfire heard at presidential palace". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  22. ^ a b c d "Guinée : Alpha Condé arrêté par les putschistes – Jeune Afrique". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). 5 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  23. ^ a b c "Guinean soldiers claim to have seized power in coup attempt". the Guardian. 5 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  24. ^ a b Felix, Saliou Samb and Bate (6 September 2021). "Guinea soldiers say they have taken over". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  25. ^ a b "Army colonel on Guinean TV says govt dissolved, borders shut". AP NEWS. 5 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  26. ^ "Guinea: A faction of the military announces suspension of government in an apparent military coup, Sept. 5; the situation remains uncertain /update 3". GardaWorld. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  27. ^ Felix, Saliou Samb and Bate (6 September 2021). "Guinea soldiers say they have taken over". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  28. ^ Dove, Ed (5 September 2021). "Guinea-Morocco World Cup qualifier postponed after Conakry coup d'etat". ESPN. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  29. ^ "Guinea World Cup Qualifier Postponed Due to Military Coup". Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. 5 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  30. ^ a b c "Nigeria, UN condemn Guinea coup, demand release of detained President Condé". Premium Times. 5 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  31. ^ "Guinée : la France condamne la tentative de putsch et appelle à la libération du président Alpha Condé". Franceinfo (in French). 5 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021..
  32. ^ Murillo, Eduardo (5 September 2021). "Gobierno de México condena golpe de Estado en Guinea" [Government of Mexico condemns coup in Guinea] (in Spanish). MSN. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  33. ^ "Qatar condemns coup in Guinea". m.gulf-times.com. 5 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  34. ^ "Turkey condemns military takeover in Guinea". dailysabah.com. 5 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  35. ^ "On the Military Seizure of Power in Guinea". United States Department of State. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  36. ^ Guineematin (5 September 2021). "Coup d'Etat en Guinée : « ça ne nous étonne pas » (Jacques Gbonimy)". Guinée Matin - Les Nouvelles de la Guinée profonde (in French). Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  37. ^ Guineematin (5 September 2021). "Saïkou Yaya (UFR) sur le coup d'Etat en Guinée : « Alpha Condé a fait la sourde oreille… »". Guinée Matin - Les Nouvelles de la Guinée profonde (in French). Retrieved 6 September 2021.

Template:Guinean coups

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