Guinea’s military junta, which seized power in a coup in September 2021, has formally dissolved the government, according to a presidential decree announced on state television by Brig Gen Amara Camara, the presidency’s Secretary General. The dissolution, lacking details on rationale or a timeline for a new government, includes directives for ministers to surrender passports, official vehicles, and freeze bank accounts.

Security agencies are ordered to seal Guinea’s borders until ministries are handed over. During the interim period, lower-level officials will manage state ministries.

The move comes after Prime Minister Bernard Goumou’s government, appointed by coup leader Mamady Doumbouya, ousted elected President Alpha Condé amidst protests over a third term bid.

Guinea joins several West and Central African nations, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Gabon, in recent coup turmoil, drawing condemnation from regional blocs ECOWAS and the African Union, as well as the UN. With a 24-month transition period set by the junta and ECOWAS, Guinea is expected to hold elections within 10 months to restore democratic rule as the transition period nears its end.

Credit: Arise