Guinea's junta dissolves government and seals borders ahead of democratic transition deadline

Guinea's junta dissolves government and seals borders ahead of democratic transition deadline

The military junta in Guinea, which took control in a coup in September 2021, has officially dissolved the interim government and sealed all borders.

Amara Camara, the presidency's secretary general, read the decree on Monday via national TV.

Camara did not provide details on the reasons for the dissolution or specify when a new government would be established. Dissolved government officials have been instructed to hand over their passports and official vehicles, while their bank accounts have been frozen.

The junta has further directed security agencies to "seal" all of Guinea's borders until the complete handover of government ministries to the junta is accomplished.

Camara said directors of cabinet, secretary generals, and their deputies, will be in charge until a new government is formed. The now-dissolved government was headed by Bernard Goumou, appointed as prime minister by coup leader Mamady Doumbouya.

In September 2021, Colonel Doumbouya led Guinea's armed forces in overthrowing elected President Alpha Condé following a series of protests against Condé's controversial attempt for a third term.

The former French legionnaire announced that the army had no option but to seize power because of the rampant corruption, disregard for human rights and economic mismanagement under the 83-year-old President Condé.

Coups have affected Guinea and several other nations in West and Central Africa in recent years, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Gabon.

The West African regional bloc Ecowas, along with the African Union and the UN, has strongly condemned these coups. Bowing to international pressure, Mamady Doumbouya, junta leader, agreed to a 24-month transition period set by the military and ECOWAS.

The transition period is expected to elapse in December, with scheduled elections to restore democratic governance.

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