Guinea: Alpha Condé, fallen president, allowed to leave country for medical reasons

The former head of state, overthrown by a military coup in September, must pass medical examinations. The date of departure and its destination were not communicated.

Le Monde with AFP

The former president of Guinea, Alpha Conde, 83, overthrown by a military coup on September 5, was authorized Friday, December 31 to leave the country for medical examinations. “In consultation with Cédéao [the West African State Community], former President Alpha Conde is authorized to go to the outside for a period of one month,” says a government release Friday night at public television. The date of departure has not been specified.

The liberation of Mr. Condé is one of the requirements of Cédéao, with election holding within six months. The organization suspended the Guinea of ​​its bodies and sanctioned the members of the junta led by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, who was investing president.

m. Conde, at the head of the country for nearly eleven years, was detained at secret for twelve weeks, until the junta authorizes him to reside in his wife, in the suburbs of Conakry. The power did not specify that this stay was with restrictions but according to the press, it is under supervised residence.

A coup welcomed by the population

The Junta had stated in a statement on September 17 that Alpha Condé “is and will remain in Guinea”. The National Development Gathering Committee (CNRD), which took over the country after the Putsch, “will continue to ensure the former head of state a treatment worthy of its rank, and this without any national pressure and International, “said the press release.

The Guineans, exasperated by poverty, corruption and repression, have generally welcomed the coup. Colonel Doumbouya has promised to make power to civilians after elections whose date remains unknown.

m. Conde had been adopted by referendum in March 2020 a new constitution and invoked this fundamental change of law to represent each other after two mandates, despite months of protest repressed in the blood. His re-election in October 2020, vigorously disputed by the opposition, had been preceded and followed by dozens of arrests.

/Media reports.