A page in history turned in Guinea with the death of its president, Lansana Conte, in power for 24 years. He died on December 22 at the age of 74, after suffering from a serious illness for several years.
In the hours following the announcement of his death, the army launched a coup, the country remained in a state of confusion and the military was the first to react. It announced on public radio that the government had been dissolved along with the country's main institutions and that the Constitution was suspended.
Leading the coup was a little-known army captain, Moussa Dadis Camara, who on December 24 proclaimed himself president of Guinea. He justified the coup d’état by evoking "a civic act" aimed at "saving a people in distress." The following day, he affirmed his claim to power by demanding, and receiving, the allegiance of the prime minister and his administration.
The international community and the African Union immediately expressed concern. Meeting in Ethiopia, the AU called on Guinea's political and military forces to ensure that the transition of power was peaceful, consensual and constitutional.
GUINEA
Over 30,000 mourners gathered in Conakry for the funeral of Guinea's longtime former leader Lansana Conte. Watch FRANCE 24's exclusive interview with junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara (sidebar) and field reportage by Catherine Norris-Trent.
GUINEA
Captain Moussa Camara, who came to power on Wednesday in Guinea after a lightning coup, spent 17 years in the national army, where he was actively involved in military revolts in 2007 and 2008.
GUINEA
In 2007, late President Lansana Conté faced a massive general strike called by the country’s main trade unions. Now the ruling military junta says the former government did not “fulfill its duties” and claims to be acting for the people.
GUINEA
For the last quarter of a century, the reins of power in Guinea have been held by army officers who have led successful coups. However, the junta is faced by strong generational and tribal divisions it must overcome to remain in charge.
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GUINEA
The National Council for Democracy and Development of Guinea, which seized power after the death of President Lansana Conte last week, has appointed banker Kabine Komara as the new civilian prime minister.
GUINEA
The African Union said it would temporarily suspend Guinea's membership "until the return of constitutional order" in the country, after a military junta seized power on Dec. 23 in a coup led by army officer Moussa Dadis Camara.
MINING - GUINEA
The Anglo-Australian mining group Rio Tinto has called on the new military leadership of Guinea to honour an existing $6 billion iron ore deal. The junta has vowed to freeze the mining sector and renegotiate contracts after it seized power last week.
GUINEA
Guinea's military junta sent 22 senior army officers into early retirement, including the army's chief of staff, General Diarra Camara, who remained loyal to the late president Lansana Conte and a leading critic of the coup.
GUINEA
FRANCE 24 special correspondents Franck Berruyer and Catherine Norris-Trent show how some ordinary Guineans hope their nation's recent chaos will lead to more autonomy. Click on the video to see their reportage.
SENEGAL - GUINEA
Senegal's President Abdoulaye Wade urged the international community to recognise the military junta led by Moussa Dadis Camara, which seized power in Guinea on Tuesday. Wade said Camara had asked him to be his spokesman to the world.
GUINEA
Guinean Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Souare (on right) says he and the cabinet are at the "complete disposal" of coup leader Moussa Dadis Camara and his ruling junta, which seized control of the country on Tuesday.
GUINEA
Army captain Moussa Dadis Camara has announced that he is Guinea's new president following the death on Monday of the country's longtime leader. Camara has promised elections in 2010 amid international calls for a democratic transition.
WEST AFRICA
In the aftermath of strongman Lansana Conte's death, Guinea entered a turbulent political phase with a group of military coup plotters announcing the formation of a ruling council while the government declared it is still in power.
WEST AFRICA
The talks began Wednesday in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa after the death of veteran President Lansana Conte late on Monday opened a power vacuum and triggered a coup attempt by mutinous soldiers.
WEST AFRICA
The military junta attempting to hold a coup in Guinea on Wednesday named a middle-ranking army officer Captain Moussa as their new president. The group said they intend to hold democratic elections in 2010.
WEB NEWS
In this edition: the Guinean blogosphere reacts to the attempted coup in their country after the death of president Lansana Conte. In the US, supporters and critics of american vice-president Dick Cheney clash online on his record.
GUINEA
Within hours of President Lansana Conte's death, the Guinean military claimed it had taken control in a coup - but the situation remains unclear with the government insisting it is still in charge, pointing to divisions within the army's ranks.
GUINEA
Guinea's constitution was suspended hours after President Lansana Conte died aged 74. Army officers leading a coup attempt summoned government ministers to a military base "to guarantee their security," according to a state radio statement.
