Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Guinea Coup Plotters Promise 2010 Elections

A military group claiming to have seized control of Guinea says it will hold elections in two years.

The group announced its election plan on state radio Wednesday, a day after declaring that a 32-member council had taken over the government. The military officials took action just hours after the death of longtime leader Lansana Conte.

The political situation in the mineral-rich country is still unclear, however.

Guinea's prime minister, army chief and speaker of the National Assembly say the civilian government is still in power.

The African Union is holding an emergency session on Guinea Wednesday.

A United Nations envoy to West Africa, Said Djinnit, told the meeting in Ethiopia that no particular group has been able to assert its position in Guinea and that there is some indication of possible discussions.

He described the situation as "calm" and "fluid." He also told the AU's Peace and Security Council that the Economic Community of West African States is considering sending a delegation to Guinea to influence the discussion there.

Guinea's coup plotters accused the embattled government Wednesday, of recruiting foreign mercenaries to support its cause. The government officials have not yet responded to the claim.

The military action in Guinea followed the announcement that President Conte died Monday after a long undisclosed illness. Believed to be in his 70s, Mr. Conte had ruled Guinea since a 1984 coup.

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