The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Sunday demanded a return to constitutional order in Guinea and threatened to impose sanctions after special forces soldiers apparently ousted long-serving President Alpha Conde.

In a press statement endorsed by its chairman, Nana Akufo Addo, ECOWAS condemned the coup d’état staged in Guinea and demanded the immediate and unconditional liberation of Conde, who was detained by the soldiers.

“ECOWAS notes with great concern the recent political developments which have occurred in Conakry, capital of the Republic of Guinea. ECOWAS condemns unreservedly the attempted coup of Sunday, September 5, 2021. ECOWAS demands respect for the physical safety of the President of the Republic, Professor Alpha Condé, and his immediate and unconditional release, as well as that of all arrested persons. ECOWAS also demands a return to constitutional order on pain of sanctions.”

“ECOWAS reaffirms its objection to any unconstitutional political change. We ask the Guinean defense and security forces to remain in a constitutional posture, and express our solidarity with the Guinean people and their government, “it added.

Background:

Guinean special forces staged a coup on Sunday, capturing President Alpha Condé and announcing a nationwide curfew “until further notice” as well as the replacement of governors by the military.

The coup follows a long period of political tension in Guinea, first spurred by Condé’s highly contested bid for a third presidential term last year.

The day before the presidential election last year, the military blocked access to Kaloum after an alleged military rebellion east of the capital.

Condé, 83, also survived an assassination attempt in 2011.

The most recent presidential poll in the nation of some 13 million people, in October 2020, was violently disputed and marred by accusations of electoral fraud.

Condé won a controversial third term in that poll, but only after pushing through a new constitution in March 2020 that allowed him to sidestep the country’s two-term limit.

Dozens of people were killed during demonstrations against a third term for the president, often in clashes with security forces. Hundreds were also arrested.