Guinea’s military junta, which seized control through a coup in September 2021, has officially disbanded the government. The announcement was made through a presidential decree read on state television by Brigadier General Amara Camara, the Secretary General of the presidency.
No specific details were provided regarding the reasons behind the dissolution or the timeline for the establishment of a new government. In accordance with the dissolution, former ministers of the disbanded government have been instructed to surrender their passports and official vehicles, with directives to freeze their bank accounts.
The junta has also ordered security agencies to close all of Guinea’s borders until the complete transfer of government ministries to the junta is finalized. During the interim period until the appointment of a new government, lower-level officials will be responsible for managing state ministries, according to Camara.
The dissolved government, led by Prime Minister Bernard Goumou, was appointed by coup leader Mamady Doumbouya, who orchestrated the overthrow of elected President Alpha Condé in September 2021 amid protests against Condé’s controversial pursuit of a third term.
Recent years have witnessed coups in Guinea and several other West and Central African countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Gabon. These coups have drawn strong condemnation from regional bloc ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations.
Earlier, the junta and ECOWAS had agreed on a 24-month transition period, with Guinea expected to hold elections to restore democratic rule within 10 months as the transition period concludes.
