The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) suspended Guinea’s membership, days after the military coup that overthrew President Alpha Condé.

At an extraordinary virtual summit on Wednesday, chaired by President Nana Akufo-Addo, the leaders of the West African bloc demanded the return to constitutional order and the immediate release of Condé, arrested on Sunday by special forces led by the Lieutenant-Colonel Mamady Doumbouya.

ECOWAS Heads of State also agreed to send a high-level mission to Guinea on Thursday.

The bloc’s decision comes after the coup drew wide diplomatic condemnation, but also sparked jubilation in parts of the capital, Conakry, where residents took to the streets to applaud passing soldiers.

The 83-year-old became the first democratically elected president in 2010 and was re-elected in 2015. But last year, Condé pushed through a constitutional change to allow himself to run for a third term, a move his opponents have claimed. declared illegal.

Source: AfrikPage