Envoys of West African bloc in Guinea to assess post-coup situation

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) – A delegation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) arrived in Guinea’s capital Conakry on Friday to explore ways to reinstate “constitutional order” after the military ousted President Alpha Conde.

Regional leaders suspended Guinea’s membership from the 15-member bloc following the Sept. 5 coup led by Col. Mamadi Doumbouya.

The delegation includes ECOWAS Commission head Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, Ghana’s Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, and Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister Alpha Barry.

The envoys are expected to assess the situation in the aftermath of the coup, press for Conde’s immediate release, and demand that the junta appoints a civilian prime minister as soon as possible, according to sources.

Earlier this week, ECOWAS reaffirmed “its unreserved opposition to any political change by unconstitutional means and condemns, in the strongest terms, this coup.”

The visit comes a day after the military ordered Guinea’s central and other banks to freeze all government accounts, saying the move was part of efforts to “secure state assets.”

The junta warned that banks would face punitive measures if they did not comply with the directive.

The coup leaders have appointed army officers to govern Guinea’s eight regions and various administrative districts, pledging to soon establish a “government of national unity.”

The military has also freed a group of political prisoners detained by Conde, the 83-year-old leader who was in power since 2010 and secured his third term in office after last October’s violence-marred elections.​​​​​​​