The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has suspended Guinea following the recent coup in the country that overthrew President Alpha Conde, Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister, Alpha Barry said on Wednesday. Barry added that the West African bloc will also send a mediation mission to Conakry on Thursday.
In a statement, ECOWAS chairman and Ghana’s president Nana Akuffo-Addo, said the regional bloc condemns the “attempted coup,” demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Conde.
ECOWAS had on Sunday demanded the return of constitutional order in Guinea, threatening to impose sanctions on the country.
Speaking further, Barry said the ECOWAS plans tro request the African Union and United Nations to endorse its decision to suspend Guinea.
Recall that Guinean Special Froces led by Lieutenant Colonel Mamady Doumbouya seized power, removing and arresting President Conde, who was the first democratically elected president in 2010.
Conde was re-elected in 2015 and last year passed a new constitution, allowing him to run for a third term in 2020. This sparked concerns over perceived authoritarianism.
