Coup attempt in Guinea as soldiers claim to seize power

They appeared on national TV claiming to have dissolved the government.

However, the defence ministry said the attempted takeover had been thwarted by the presidential guard.

This follows hours of heavy gunfire near the presidential palace in the capital, Conakry.

The TV address featured nine unnamed soldiers, several draped in the red, gold and green national flag, who said they had taken over because of rampant corruption, mismanagement and poverty.

Calling themselves the National Committee for Reconciliation and Development, they said the constitution had been dissolved and that there would be consultations to create a new, more inclusive one.

Numerous reports say the coup was led by an elite unit headed by a former French legionnaire, Lt Col Mamady Doumbouya.

In one video, which the BBC has not been able to verify, soldiers ask President Condé, 83, to confirm he is unharmed but he refuses to respond.

Sitting barefoot on a sofa wearing jeans and a printed shirt, he does not have any visible injuries.

Those behind the coup said that all land and air borders had been closed for a week.

However, according to the defence ministry, forces loyal to the president have "contained the threat and repelled the group of assailants".

Earlier, the only bridge connecting the mainland to the Kaloum peninsular, which houses most ministries and the presidential palace, was sealed off while many soldiers, some heavily armed, were posted around the palace, a military source told Reuters news agency.

There are unconfirmed reports that three soldiers have been killed.

President Condé was re-elected for a controversial third term in office amid violent protests last year.

Comments

Clashes in Montenegro as the Serbian Orthodox church installed a new leader

Montenegro clashes as Serbian Orthodox Church leader installed a new leader Police used tear gas against protesters who threw rocks and bottles in the city of Cetinje. Montenegro split with Serbia in 2006 but its church remains under the Serbian Orthodox church. Some, including Montenegro's president, see it as a symbol of Serb influence. President Milo Djukanovic had urged protesters to disrupt the inauguration of Joanikije II to the top clerical position, known as the Metropolitan of Montenegro and Archbishop of Cetinje. On Saturday, hundreds of protesters set up barricades to block access to Cetinje and the demonstrations spilled into Sunday when the ceremony took place. Police arrested more than a dozen people, including an advisor to the president. At least 20 people were injured, AFP reported. "We're on the barricades because we're fed up with Belgrade denying our nation, and telling us what are our religious rights," protestor Andjela Ivanovic tol

Talibans in Afghanistan now implementing manhunt to find targets

It said the militants have been going door-to-door to find targets and threatening their family members. The hard-line Islamist group has tried to reassure Afghans since seizing power, promising there would be "no revenge". But there are fears the Taliban have changed little since the brutal 1990s. The warning the group were targeting "collaborators" came in a confidential document by the RHIPTO Norwegian Center for Global Analyses, which provides intelligence to the UN. "There are a high number of individuals that are currently being targeted by the Taliban and the threat is crystal clear," Christian Nellemann, who heads the group behind the report. "It is in writing that, unless they give themselves in, the Taliban will arrest and prosecute, interrogate and punish family members on behalf of those individuals." He warned that anyone on the Taliban's blacklist was in severe danger, and that there could be mass executions. The Tal

A spoken word artist and a rapper a Multi versatile artist Qweku Chinese showcases his poetic talent.

Qweku Chinese , a spoken word poet known for his musical talent as a rapper specifically, performed some of his latest work in a video which he posted on his TikTok account. The poem which entitled , “A letter to my future,” talks about how he dreamt about life as a child and now facing the reality as an adult. When asked about his new found talent he says “I am always excited about anything art and I continue to be excited by my works and that people continue to be excited to hear my music and poetry.” Qweku said he is frequently asked about his writing process and difficulties he faces as a writer. he often jokingly answers with wisdom to people. “A talent is like a character. If the talent is inside you, it has to come out,” Qweku said. You can watch and follow him on his TikTok account @ qweku_chinese.

Onuroic

Search This Blog