President Alpha Condé
Heavy gunfire has been reported in the heart of Guinean capital Conakry near the presidential palace though it was unclear who was responsible.
A senior government official said on Sunday that President Alpha Conde was unharmed but gave no further details.
A military source said that the bridge connecting the rest of the city to the Kaloum neighbourhood, which houses most ministries and the presidential palace, had been sealed off and many soldiers were posted around the palace.
The source said the gunfire involved angry members of the special forces, an elite army corpse but did not say what caused the anger.
Military budget cuts Footage shared on social media showed heavy gunfire ringing out over the city, and vehicles full of soldiers approaching the Central bank, close to the palace.
Conde won a third presidential term in a violently disputed election last October. He ran after pushing through a new constitution in March 2020 which allowed him to sidestep the country’s two-term limit, provoking mass protests
Dozens of people were killed during demonstrations, often in clashes with security forces. Hundreds were also arrested
However, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has condemned in strong terms the military coup that took place in Guinea on Sunday.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the ECOWAS Heads Of States and Governments, Nana Akufo-Addo, ECOWAS said it demands respect for the physical integrity of the President Alpha Condé and ordered his immediate unconditional release as well as that of all those arrested.
The Commission also demands the return to constitutional order on in the country
While expressing solidarity with the Guinean people, ECOWAS reaffirmed its disapproval of any unconstitutional political change in West Africa and therefore asked the defense and security forces to remain in a posture.
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