Guinea opposition leader offers support to coup against Conde

Dakar, Sep 7 (EFE).- Guinea’s opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo has endorsed the military coup that overthrew the country’s president Alpha Conde this week.

Diallo, leader of the National Alliance for Change and Democracy (ANAD), said that he agreed with the principles announced by the coup plotters, who call themselves the National Committee for Reconciliation and Development (CNRD), according to local media in the West African nation Tuesday.

“The CNRD can count on the support of ANAD in the effort to build a peaceful democracy in our country,” Diallo said during a late-night public appearance.

He also urged the coup plotters to place a priority on setting up “legitimate institutions capable of carrying out reforms that can quickly lead the country to national reconciliation and the establishment of the rule of law.”

On Sunday, Conde, who had been in office since 2010, was ousted and detained by special forces. The group behind the coup was led by Col. Mamady Doumbouya.

Doumbouya said Monday that there would be a global consultation opened “to describe the main lines of the transition.”

In October 2020, Conde secured a third term in office after a controversial constitutional amendment allowed him to retain the presidential seat.

He garnered 59.5% of the vote, ahead of Diallo’s 33.5%, according to figures from the electoral commission.

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