Umm Muhammed Umar

The leader of the coup in Guinea Lieutenant-colonel Mamady Doumbouya, intends to form a new “union” government within weeks. He said in a statement, “A consultation will be launched to set down the broad parameters of the transition, and then a government of national union will be established to steer the transition.” He also appeared on television on Sunday draped in the national flag, promising to launch a “national consultation to open an inclusive and calm transition.”

The BBC reports that Col Doumbouya told ministers who served in ousted President Alpha Condé’s government that there would be no witch-hunt against former officials. They will not, however, be allowed to leave the country. Further, their vehicles were taken by the military. Regional governors have also been replaced by military commanders. Condé, meanwhile, remains in custody.

Guinea is one of the world’s principal suppliers of bauxite, an essential component of aluminium. According to the BBC, Col Doumbouya has urged mining companies not to halt their operations, exempting them from a nationwide curfew put in place. Even though Guinea is rich in resources, from iron ore to gold and diamonds, its 13 million population are among the poorest in the world.

Conakry, the usually bustling capital, was calm on Monday, with many businesses closed.