The Diplomat
The Government of Spain yesterday called for the “immediate restoration of constitutional order and democratic institutions” in Guinea-Conakry after the military coup d’état and assured that it remains in contact with the Spanish community, “who are well and have been advised not to leave their homes”.
A group of soldiers of the Army Special Forces Group, led by the commander of this elite corps, Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, seized power this past Sunday, after which he declared the dissolution of the Constitution and the Government and arrested President Alpha Condé, in power since 2010.
“The Government of Spain follows with concern the events in Conakry, condemns the violence that occurred yesterday Sunday morning and calls for the immediate restoration of constitutional order and democratic institutions in the Republic of Guinea”, the Executive of Pedro Sánchez said yesterday in a statement.
“The Government of Spain joins the demand of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS-ECOWAS) urging the military to return to their barracks and to respect the integrity of President Alpha Condé and proceed to his immediate release and restoration of his constitutional functions”, it continued.
“The Embassy in Conakry is in contact with the Spanish community, who are well and have been advised not to leave their homes”, it concluded. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday renewed the travel recommendations to Guinea-Conakry, in which, after warning that “the political climate in Guinea is always tense and volatile”, it asks Spaniards to avoid travel to the country “following recent events” and “strongly recommends that citizens who are in the country remain at home and avoid any kind of departure until further notice”.
The Embassy of Guinea-Conakry in Madrid, whose website continues to list Condé as President of the country (in addition to the Prime Minister, Ibrahima Kassory Fofana, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ibrahima Khalil Kaba), has not yet commented on the coup d’état and has limited itself to disseminating various information related to the coup d’état. These include condemnations by ECOWAS, the African Union and UN Secretary General António Guterres, and several news items directly related to the events, such as the new measures taken by the coup leaders – the curfew or the summoning of the members of the overthrown government – and the message of the coup leader announcing the seizure of power.
The current Ambassador of Guinea, Thierno Ousmane Diallo -former Minister of State Advisor to the Presidency of the Republic, among other positions-, delivered the Style Copies of his Letters of Credence last May.
