By Jacob Kubeka –
Guinea’s coup leaders on Thursday accused political parties and activists of “disturbing public order and social tranquility” in the West African country.
The junta, which calls itself the National Rally Committee for Development (CNRD), claimed in a statement aired on state television that these groups want to “undermine the peace and quiet of Guineans and destabilize the current peaceful transition.”
The declaration occurred during a press conference organized by deposed president Alpha Conde’s party, however it did not name the supposedly destabilizing groups.
Conde, 83, has been held under house arrest since his removal by the junta, according to the former president of the National Assembly.
A 41-year-old former French legionnaire seized power on September 5, accusing Conde of corruption and authoritarianism.
Lieutenant Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, sworn in as interim president last month, has promised to “re-found” the Guinean state and hold elections at the end of a transition period of unspecified length.
The junta has so far dissolved the government and institutions and replaced ministers, governors and prefects with administrators and soldiers.
On October 6, Doumbouya appointed a transitional prime minister, Mohamed Beavogui, a former UN under-secretary-general.
Anyone taking part in the interim administration will not be able to stand in the polls, according to the junta.
Conde became Guinea’s first democratically elected leader in 2010, but last year sparked mass protests when he changed the constitution to allow himself to seek a third term. Though Conde was re-elected, his critics denounced the poll as a sham.
AFP
