UN Chief Condemns Military ‘Takeover’ In Guinea, Demands President Conde’s Release

• The head of Guinea’s special forces cited “mismanagement” as reason for the takeover.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned Sunday’s apparent coup in Guinea and urged putschists who said they had seized power to release the country’s detained president.

“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,” Guterres tweeted.

Guinean special forces staged a coup on Sunday, arresting the president, in the latest political upheaval to roil the impoverished west African country.

Read also: Nigerian Govt Condemns “Unconstitutional Change Of Govt” In Guinea

“We have decided, after having taken the president, to dissolve the constitution,” said a uniformed officer flanked by soldiers toting assault rifles in a video sent to AFP.

The officer also said that Guinea’s land and air borders have been shut and the government has been dissolved.

Another video sent to AFP by the putschists showed a rumpled-looking President Alpha Conde sitting on a sofa, surrounded by troops. He refused to answer a question from one soldier about whether he was being mistreated.

Guinea — one of the world’s poorest countries despite boasting significant mineral resources — has long been beset by political instability.

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