Troops march through Guinea
2008-12-24 19:06
Conakry - Coup leaders tightened their grip on Guinea on Wednesday, declaring a nationwide curfew and ruling out elections for the next two years as hundreds of their troops paraded through the capital's streets.
International condemnation grew with the African Union warning of "stern measures" if the military ignored calls to allow a democratic transition of power following the death of long-time dictator Lansana Conte.
Conte had ruled with an iron fist since 1984 and within hours of his death at 74 late on Monday, a group of soldiers took control of the airwaves and claimed to have seized power in the impoverished west African state.
The putshcists issued a statement on Wednesday saying their leader was Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, a mid-ranking officer who had previously been head of the military's fuel supplies unit.
Curfew
"The National Council for Democracy and Development informs the population that a curfew will be installed throughout the territory from 20:00 to 06:00 from today, Wednesday, December 24," said a statement read on the radio.
In an apparent show of force, several hundred pro-coup soldiers left the main military base near the international airport to parade through the streets of the capital Conakry.
Camara plans to lead a 32-member interim administration, made up of 26 military officers and six civilians, and promised to hold "free, credible and transparent elections in December 2010".
Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Souare has maintained his government is still in charge and the UN's special envoy to West Africa said on Wednesday it was too early to gauge who was in control of the country.
"No camp has so far been able to ascertain its position," Said Djinnit told an emergency meeting of the African Union's Peace and Security Council in the Ethiopian capital.
"On the one hand, you've got a group of 32 people who wants power and pretends the situation is under their control. On the other hand, the government and the army chief staff are still there and claim they are in power."
International condemnation
The African Union, the European Union, the United States, and the United Nations have all condemned the coup and appealed for a democratic transition of power, but all are waiting anxiously to see how it will play out.
The AU's Peace and Security Commissioner, Ramtane Lamamra, warned of "stern measures if the coup d'etat is materialised".
The putschists alleged that troops loyal to the Conte regime had been seeking intervention from foreign mercenaries from neighbouring countries and claimed to be acting to preserve Guinea's territorial integrity.
"People of Guinea, the seizure of power by your army is a civic act which responds to the wish to save a people in distress. Proud of having accomplished this task, (the junta) has no wish to cling on to power," a statement said.
An AFP correspondent described Conakry as calm overnight although government sources said the homes of some ministers had been raided as the putschists tried to locate them.
The political uncertainty and fears of violence brought the capital to a standstill with markets, petrol stations and main shops closed. Most people remained in their houses, too scared to venture outside.