Guinea: Nigeria Will Not Recognize Military Govt

By Gideon Njoku

The Federal Government of Nigeria will not recognize the new Military Government of the Republic of Guinea.

The Guinean Military, on Sunday, staged a Coup d’etat, overthrew the Government, seized power, and arrested the President, Alpha Conde.

Conde was seen wearing a pair of jeans trousers, looking calm but deeply worried and disheveled. He was surrounded by heavily armed soldiers who shoved him into a vehicle. It is believed that he is being detained in a Military facility.

The Coupists, in a recorded broadcast by Col. Mamadi Doumboua, suspended the country’s Constitution, and dissolved the Parliament. They also closed the country’s borders and airspace.

But reacting to the situation, the Federal Government of Nigeria called it illegal, and said it breached everything the Economic Council of West African States, ECOWAS, stand for.

In a statement signed by Esther Sunsuwa, Spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Nigeria condemned the Coup, saying it violated ECOWAS Protocols on Democracy and Good Government.

The statement reads:

“The Nigerian Government is saddened by the apparent  Coup d’etat that has taken place in the Republic of Guinea today (Sunday), in clear violation of the ECOWAS Protocols on Democracy and Good Governance.

“The Government of Nigeria strongly condemns and rejects  any unconstitutional change of Government and, therefore, Calls on those behind the Coup to restore constitutional order without delay and protect lives and property.”

President Conde, 83, was elected into office for  a third term in after he changed the Constitution of his impoverished, but minerals-rich country.

On Sunday, after his ouster, hundreds of jubilant Guineans celebrated it on the streets, and enthusiastically hailed the soldiers who were driving-by in Military vehicles.

Guinea’s population is approximately 12.77m.