Guinea

Coup leaders promise elections and install curfew

Article published on the 2008-12-24 Latest update 2008-12-25 07:16 TU

People watch as Guinean soldiers on armoured vehicles patrol the streets of the capital Conakry on Tuesday
(Photo: Reuters)

A radio broadcast Wednesday said "free credible and transparent elections" would be held in December 2010. It described the "seizure of power" by the army as "a civic act which responds to the wish to save a people in distress".

State radio reported later in the day that a curfew would be installed  across the country from 8pm Wednesday evening. The statement said the curfew was being imposed by the National Council for Democracy and Development.

A statement Wednesday afternoon also declared that Captain Moussa Dadis Camara had been named Head of the National Council for Democracy and Development.

A spokesperson for the coup had announced the National Council for Democracy and Development late Tuesday. He said the Council included 26 military officers and six civilians.

The African Union met Wednesday morning in Ethiopia's capital Addis Abeba to discuss the situation since the death of Guinean President Lansana Conté and the seizure of power by a part of the country's military.

Guinea's ambassador to the AU said "the military council does not represent the majority in the army".

The AU's Peace and Security commissioner Ramtane Lamamra said the Union needed "to take a firm position on Guinea to maintain constitutional legality".

In Guinea's capital Conakry the homes of some government ministers were reportedly raided and their vehicles seized overnight. The capital was reported to be quiet otherwise.

Correspondant Karim Kamara, speaking from the capital Conakry, told RFI early Wednesday that "both sides are claiming to be in control of the situation".

He said "the atmosphere in Conakry is very calm for now though people are a little bit scared". "There hasn't been any use of force [...] and people are going about their normal business," he added.

The funeral of President Conté will be held on Friday.

Armed Forces Chief General Diarra Camara said Wednesday that "President Conté loved his country and his army [...] we will organise a funeral that will be worthy of him".

Appealing to officers and soldiers, he said he could count on the loyalty that "Guinea's army has always shown".