Secretary-General of United Nations, Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the military takeover that happened in Guinea on Sunday.
Recall that soldiers took over the government of President Alpha Conde after hours of heavy gunfire near the presidential palace in Conakry, the capital.
Head of elite national army unit, Mamady Doumbouya said the president had been taken into custody.
Doumbouya accused Conde’s government of “trampling of the rights of citizens” and disrespecting “democratic principles”.
He also announced that the country’s land borders had been closed and the government dissolved.
I am personally following the situation in Guinea very closely. I strongly condemn any takeover of the government by force of the gun and call for the immediate release of President Alpha Conde.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) September 5, 2021
Condé was re-elected for a third term in office amid violent protests in October 2020.
The president won the controversial election after changing the constitution to allow him to serve another term in office despite stiff opposition.
Conde’s decision to run for a third term had sparked repeated protests that resulted in the deaths of dozens of people.