Guinea PM turns himself in
2008-12-25 17:22
Conakry - Guinea's prime minister turned himself in on Thursday along with several members of his government after an order to do so from a military junta that has seized control of the west African nation.
Moussa Dadis Camara, an army captain in his forties, appeared to be tightening his grip on the mineral-rich nation following the death of longtime Lansana Conte.
Conte had ruled with an iron fist since 1984 and within hours of his passing late on Monday at the age of 74, a group of soldiers took control of the airwaves and claimed to have seized power.
"I am convinced, reassured that I am the president of the republic, the head of the National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD)," Camara said at his first press conference late on Wednesday.
Later, in a statement read on radio and state television the CNDD junta said: "All army officers and all former members of the government are asked to go to camp Alpha Yaya Diallo in the next 24 hours."
An AFP correspondent witnessed Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Souare arriving at the camp - Guinea's main military base by the international airport outside Conakry - at around midday on Thursday along with several government ministers.
Camara had warned that if all top military brass and government members do not turn themselves in by the end of Thursday, "a sweep of the entire national territory will be organised".
New president of the republic
The clampdown came amid growing international condemnation of the coup with the African Union warning of "stern measures" if the military ignored calls to allow a democratic transition of power.
The United States threatened to suspend its aid, some $15m this year, if coup leaders did not take steps to return civilian rule.
"One of the things we want to see immediately is a restoration of a civilian democratic rule," said State Department spokesperson Robert Wood.
Camara plans to lead a 32-member interim administration, made up of 26 military officers and six civilians, and has ruled out any new elections until December 2010.
In a show of force, Camara paraded through the capital on Wednesday with hundreds of soldiers before announcing he was the new "president of the republic".
A crowd of thousands of coup supporters thronged the streets of Conakry, surrounding the presidential palace and the government ministries, before dispersing peacefully.
Among them were many young people from the suburbs of the capital, disaffected after years of dictatorial rule.
'We no longer want the Conte system in Guinea'
"We no longer want the Conte system in Guinea. And if you are cutting down a tree, you must tear out all its roots," said Edouard, a 22-year-old student.
A curfew called by Guinea's new military leaders has been delayed until Friday "to allow Christians to celebrate a peaceful Christmas holiday", according to a statement read on national radio.
Friday is also the day when Conte's funeral is to be held in his home village, according to family sources.
Leader since 1984 when he ousted Guinea's first president Ahmed Sekou Toure, Conte was a chain smoker who suffered from chronic diabetes and was at one time diagnosed with leukaemia.
He had relied on the army along with his clan to bolster his authority, but in recent years social tension and criticism of Conte's regime had become increasingly open.
Guinea, a small nation of about 10 million people, is the world's leading exporter of bauxite, an ore from which aluminium is produced.