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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for the “immediate and unconditional release” of Guinea’s President Alpha Conde.
ECOWAS said that it was following “with great concern” the recent political developments in Conakry, condemning the coup d’etat attempt.
“ECOWAS demands respect for the physical integrity of President Alpha Conde and his immediate and unconditional release as well as that of all those arrested.” the African organization said.
ECOWAS is also calling for the return of constitutional order under penalty of sanctions.
Expressing solidarity with the Guinean people and government, the organization also reaffirmed its disapproval for any “unconditional political change”, asking the defense and security forces to remain in a republican posture.
Earlier on Sunday, September 5, heavy gunfire was heard in the urban commune of Kaloum, downtown Conakry, in Guinea, where the Presidential Palace and several ministerial departments are located.
A group of the Special Forces group apprehended Conde and declared the “success of the coup d’etat.”
Several other organizations and countries expressed concerns regarding the situation in Guinea.
The 55-member AU also called for an immediate release of Conde in a statement.
Felix Tshisekedi, president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who is also the current AU chairperson, and Moussa Faki Mahamat, the AU Commission chairperson, further called on the AU Peace and Security Council to convene immediately to address the new situation in Guinea and to take appropriate measures in the circumstances.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that he is following the situation in Guinea very closely.
“I strongly condemn any takeover of the government by force of the gun and call for the immediate release of President Alpha Conde,” he said.
The US State Department also condemned the coup in Guinea.
In a statement, the state department argued that violence would only undermine peace and stability in the country.
“These actions could limit the ability of the United States and Guinea’s other international partners to support the country as it navigates a path toward national unity and a brighter future for the Guinean people,” the US said.
Moroccans also expressed concerns regarding the situation in Guinea, particularly after Morocco’s national football team arrived in Conakry for the 2022 World Cup qualifier match.
The match against Guinea was scheduled for Monday but was postponed after the coup d’etat announcement.
Morocco’s government also sent a Moroccan flight to retrieve the national squad.
During their journey back, Morocco’s national team chanted the anthem in the flight and expressed joy for their country’s support and solidarity following the coup incident.
The flight arrived in Morocco on Sunday after midnight.
