ECOWAS suspends Guinea after virtual over recent coup

Accra, Ghana (PANA) - The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced at a virtual meeting here Wednesday it had suspended Guinea following the military putsch that ousted ex-President Alpha Conde.

Chairman of ECOWAS and President of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced the decision at a virtual meeting of the heads of state of the regional bloc monitored by PANA here.

The bloc also declared its decision to send a mediator to Conakry Thursday.

The ECOWAS chairman convened the summit at which the Guinean issue was discussed among heads of state and representatives of the African Union and United Nations.

The bloc, which is yet to release a formal statement, said the suspension had been confirmed by Burkinabe Foreign Minister Alpha Barry, whose President Roche Marc Kabore was present.

Shortly after the coup, Akufo-Addo, in his capacity as ECOWAS chairman, issued a statement which read in part: "ECOWAS demands respect for the physical safety of the President of the Republic, Professor Alpha Condé, and his immediate and unconditional release, as well as that of all arrested persons. ECOWAS also demands a return to constitutional order or pain of sanctions."

The statement added: "ECOWAS reaffirms its objection to any unconstitutional political change. We ask the Guinean defense and security forces to remain in a constitutional posture, and express our solidarity with the Guinean people and their Government."

Conde was detained after Colonel Mamady Doumbouya of the Elite Forces announced soldiers had taken over the government, citing mismanagement and corruption.

Conde came to power in 2010 and won re-election in 2015. However, in October 2020, when he was supposed to step down, he won a controversial third term after pushing through a new constitution in March 2020, allowing him a three-term mandate.
-0- PANA RA  8Sept2021