Guinea's military junta seems to have consolidated its grip on power since Tuesday's coup, with government officials bowing down at the army camp.
Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Souare led dozens of government officials to the Alpha Yaya Diallo barracks on Thursday, surrendering to Captain Moussa Camara, the coup leader who has claimed himself "the president of the Republic."
"The former members of government are entirely at your disposal," Souare told Camara who received them around midday at the camp and pledged to set them free if being cooperated.
"The seizure of power is a transition for transparent and free elections in 2010," Camara declared, in reference to the coup hours after the broadcast of the death of President Lansana Conte.
Camara claimed himself "the president of the Republic" after named the head of the interim National Council for Democracy and Development on Wednesday.
In less than two days since the coup, the military junta has taken several steps to anchor its grip on power.
One of the sweet offers is the pledge of holding a presidential election in 2010. Another is the postponement of a dusk-to-morning curfew from Wednesday to Friday so that Christians in the country can spend the Christmas holiday.
Camara, who led the military coup, citing the need for a change from corruption under Conte, promised a "grandiose funeral" for the late president on Friday, as well as security for foreign and domestic dignitaries planning for attendance.
Despite his claim as the interim head of state, Camara has declared no intention to run for the presidency in 2010.
The military junta, among others, has invited representatives of political parties, trade unions, civil society and religions to have consultations at the Alpha Yaya Diallo barracks on Saturday.
A similar call has been issued to the United Nations, the European Union, the African Union and other international organization to voice their response.
There were responses in the wake of the coup.
Ibrahima Fofana, secretary general of the Labor Union of Guinean Workers, called for "a government of national unity" to led the country back on the track of democracy.
On Thursday, France expressed concerns about the situation in Guinea, urging a rapid return to the normal functioning of institutions in the country.
The European Union, through its presidency France, demanded the organization of a "democratic and transparent election" in the "first quarter of 2009."
The United States threatened to suspend its financial aid to Guinea if the military junta refuses to restore the democratic system in the country.
Under the constitution, National Assembly President Aboubacar Sompare is to take over power in absence of the head of state. He is also entitled to organize a presidential vote within 60 days.
But Camara on Tuesday announced the dissolving of the government and the constitution, saying a consultative body of civilian and military members would be created to take over the fate of the country.
Conte died at the age of 74 at 6:45 p.m. local time (1845 GMT) on Monday in a hospital in Conakry. He came to power in 1984 and was elected president in 1993. Conte won re-elections in 1998 and 2003.
Guinea won independence from France in 1958. It borders Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and Mali in the north, Cote d'Ivoire in the east, Sierra Leone and Liberia in the south and the Atlantic Ocean in the west.
With an area of 245,857 square km and the population of 9. 56 million, the country is also known for its rich mineral deposits, especially bauxite which accounts for half of the world's total reserves. The country, however, remained one of the poorest in the world.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article