Interim government for Guinea
2008-12-24 18:50
Conakry - Coup leaders announced a 32-member interim government for Guinea hours after they said were in control of the mineral-rich West African country following the death of its dictator.
In a take-over announcement, the group calling itself the National Council for Democracy said presidential elections would be held within 60 days and that an interim president and prime minister would be appointed.
Its spokesperson, Captain Moussa Camara, later said the interim government would be made up of 26 military members and six civilians. On Wednesday, military music played on state-run radio airwaves.
The group began announcing its takeover shortly after the death of longtime dictator Lansana Conte was made public. Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Souare, though, said in a state broadcast on Tuesday that he was inside his office and his government had not been dissolved.
Conte, who was believed to be in his 70s, had ruled for more than a quarter-century. He was only Guinea's second president since it gained independence from France a half-century ago.
Looming turmoil
While Guinea has managed to avoid the catastrophic wars that ravaged its West African neighbours, regional experts have warned for years that Conte's death or ouster could send it into turmoil.
Guinea is the world's largest producer of bauxite, used to produce aluminum, and also has gold, diamonds and iron ore deposits. The nation, located at the confluence of several West African rivers, could generate enough electricity to power the region, some analysts say.
But Guinea's economy has rapidly deteriorated and its 10 million people are among the world's poorest. A food exporter at independence, Guinea started importing food as it became crippled by corruption, inflation and high unemployment.
Conte first took power in a 1984 military coup after the death of his predecessor. As a post-Cold War democracy wave swept the continent, he formed a political party and won elections in 1993. He was re-elected in 1998 and 2003, but all the elections were viewed as fraudulent. Conte also changed the country's constitution to eliminate term limits.
- AP