Africa-Press – South-Sudan. South Sudan’s government on Tuesday condemned this week’s coup in Guinea Conakry in which troops previously allied to the President Alpha Conde took over power by force declared a political transition.
On Sunday, a group of elite troops led by a Guinean former French Foreign Legionnaire arrested 83-year-old Conde, announced they were scrapping the constitution and imposed a curfew in the West African country.
Regional and international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as well as some governments, condemned the military coup and called for release of the country’s president.
In a statement read out on the state-run South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Beatrice Khamisa Wani said the military takeover in the West African country is unconstitutional and demanded release of the president followed with return to constitutionality.
“The Republic of South Sudan joins the African Union, the United Nations, ECOWAS and other Africa member states to condemn in the strongest terms possible this unconstitutional takeover in Guinea, Conakry which is contrary to the AU constitute Act that advocates for constitutional change of government through elections,” Khamisa said
“The Republic of South Sudan therefore, calls for the immediate release of President Alpha Conde as well as the immediate restoration of constitutional rule and order,” the top South Sudanese diplomat added.
The coup leaders have consolidated their takeover with the installation of army officers at the top of Guinea’s eight regions and various administrative districts across the West African nation, Al Jazeera reported.
This is despite threats by West African countries to impose sanctions on the country for removing the president who is serving a third term after altering the constitution to permit it.
Mamady Doumbouya, the coup leader, who was an officer in the French Foreign Legion, has promised a “new era for governance and economic development”. He did not however explain exactly what this will entail, or given a timeframe.
“The government to be installed will be that of national unity and will ensure this political transition,” he wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.
In an announcement on Monday evening, the military called on the justice ministry to do what it can to release “political detainees” as soon as possible. Late on Tuesday, about 20 political opponents of Conde were released from detention, AFP news agency reported.
