Ongoing coup attempt in Guinea, Heavy gunfire reported in Conakry

Heavy gunfire are being reported in Conakry this Sunday morning, September 5, 2021 due to an ongoing coup attempt against President Alpha Condé of Guinea Conakry.

According to local sources, fighting are ongoing on the Kaloum Peninsula, in Conakry. The peninsula is home to most of the government buildings. A heavy deployment of military vehicles is underway on the streets of Conakry as shootings continue.

President Conde has been in power since December 2010 after spending decades in opposition. His reelection for a third term in October 2020 was very controversial as his government amended the Constitution in March 2020 through a constitutional referendum to allow him to run despite a two-term limit. Violent protests erupted across the country to protest against his third term bid. Despite that, he was declared the winner with 59.5% of the vote.

Condé’s reelection has been highly denounced by the opposition who rejected the election results pointing out allegations of fraud. The political situation has remained strained since then, with an acute divergence between the power and the opposition.