Military junta takes over Guinea

Regional military commanders replaced governors on Monday following the ouster of the West African nation’s president. A group led by the head of the Guinean army special forces deposed 83-year-old Alpha Conde, who had ruled the country for more than a decade. The junta dissolved the constitution and forbade members of the government from leaving the country, though leader Col. Mamady Doumbouya promised not to pursue vendettas against his political opponents.

What prompted the coup? Conde ran for a third term in office last year, claiming term limits did not apply to him. His reelection sparked violent street protests that left dozens dead. Both members of the military and Conde’s political opposition have called for his removal. A recent proposal to cut some military salaries increased tension between the president and Doumbouya.

Dig deeper: Read Onize Ohikere’s report in World Tour about the presidential protests in Guinea.