Guinea President Dismisses 173 Soldiers, Including Coup Ally, for Desertion

President Mamadi Doumbouya of Guinea has initiated a significant shake-up within the military, dismissing 173 soldiers, including Colonel Michel Lamah. Lamah, who played a role in Doumbouya’s 2021 coup that ousted President Alpha Condé, was part of the elite Special Forces Group (GFS) previously commanded by the president.

The dismissals, announced via state television in a presidential decree, are reportedly due to “desertion.” The specific circumstances surrounding these alleged desertions were not detailed by General Amara Camara, the president’s spokesman, when he read the decree.

This action is widely interpreted as a move by President Doumbouya to solidify his authority and preempt any potential challenges to his leadership. Doumbouya, who initially promised a transition to civilian rule after seizing power, later stood for and won the presidency in December’s election with a substantial majority.

Colonel Lamah gained public notice during the September 2021 coup, notably being photographed with the deposed President Condé. The coup involved troops storming the presidential palace to arrest Condé, who was serving a controversial third term amid widespread protests.

Since the coup, Guinea has experienced a notable curtailment of civil liberties, with media outlets shut down, protests banned, political parties suspended, and activists and opposition figures facing arrest or exile. Two major opposition parties were notably excluded from the recent election, which saw Doumbouya secure 87% of the vote.

In recent years, Doumbouya has focused on developing Guinea’s mineral wealth, aiming to transition the nation from a raw material supplier to a hub for industrial processing.

https://nilepost.co.ug/news/366898/guineas-president-dismisses-173-soldiers-coup-ally-for-desertion