A POWER struggle was under way in Guinea yesterday as elements of the military claimed to have seized control and removed the government following the death of one of Africa's most authoritarian and corrupt rulers, Lansana Conté.
Prime minister Ahmed Tidiane Souare denied there had been a coup and said most of the military, a main prop of Conté's power for 24 years, remains loyal to his civilian government. But there were reports of armoured vehicles and troops moving toward the presidential palace and prime minister's office.
Heavily armed soldiers took control of a strategic bridge into the heart of the capital, Conakry, and patrolled the streets, but the city was calm.
Conté's death at about 78 following a long illness, believed to be diabetes or leukaemia, was announced on television by the speaker of the national assembly, Aboubacar Sompare, who said the constitution required he be appointed interim president until elections were held within 60 days. Head of the armed forces, Gen Diarra Camara, appeared beside him, leaving the impression there would be a constitutional transfer of power.
But hours later an army officer, identified as Capt Moussa Dadis Camara, announced on the radio the dissolution of a government he blamed for an "unprecedented economic and social crisis".
Guinea is rich in minerals, but its 10 million people are among the world's poorest.
Capt Camara, who heads the army's fuel supplies unit, said a "national council of democracy" of military and civilian leaders would be set up to combat corruption and hold elections, a move that mirrors the coup that brought Conté to power in 1984. The army said it had summoned cabinet ministers and top officials to the country's main military camp "to guarantee their security".
But Mr Souare, the prime minister, denied there was a military takeover and said the government "continues to function as it should". He told Radio France Internationale: "I do not know these people who have spoken. I am sure that they will see reason. They have not used force. There has been no threat against anybody." - ( Guardianservice)