Guinea: heavy gunfire in central Conakry, near the presidential palace

Published on : 09/05/2021 – 14:59

Heavy gunfire rang out on the morning of Sunday, September 5, near the presidential palace in central Conakry, and convoys of vehicles carrying troops plied the streets of the capital of Guinea, according to a Reuters journalist on the spot and videos shared on social networks.

Access to the only bridge connecting the mainland to the Kaloum peninsula, one of the city’s districts, which houses the presidential palace and most of the ministries, has been blocked, according to a military source, and numerous soldiers , some heavily armed, were deployed around the presidency.

A senior government official said President Alpha Condé was safe and sound, without giving further details. A witness interviewed by Reuters said he saw a civilian with gunshot wounds. “President Alpha Condé is doing very well. The situation is under control,” said an ally of the Head of State in a video posted on WhatsApp messaging.

It was immediately difficult to identify the perpetrators of these shootings. Members of the special forces showing their anger for a still unknown motive would be implied, according to a military source.

Two civilians injured, according to witnesses

Three witnesses interviewed by Reuters said they saw two civilians with gunshot wounds. Images showing heavy fire from automatic weapons or military vehicles approaching the headquarters of the central bank, near the presidency, were relayed on social networks without being able to verify them immediately.

A journalist from the agency on the spot saw two lines of armored vehicles and pick-ups carrying soldiers heading towards the autonomous port of Conakry, also located not far from the presidential palace.

Alpha Condé, who is 83 years old, was re-elected last October for a third five-year term following a reform of the Constitution strongly criticized by the opposition. Several dozen people died in violence linked to the poll.

With Reuters