Guinean gov't dissolved amid coup after president's death

 2008-12-23 16:04:48  

    ABIDJAN, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) --

The Guinean government has been dissolved amid allegations of a military coup following the death of President Lansana Conte, according to reports reaching here on Tuesday.

    Radio broadcast from the Guinean capital of Conakry said a military coup followed the death of the president, forcing the government and the constitution to dissolve.

    A group of men in military uniform appeared at state radio and TV broadcasting stations, making the announcement of the suspension of the constitution and the government, reports said.

    Conte died at the age of 74 on Monday night in a hospital in Conakry, apparently after having diabetes for long.

    He came to power in 1984 and was elected president in 1993. Conte won re-elections in 1998 and 2003.

    After his death, an overnight discussion was held in Conakry among top officials on the choice of the successor to Conte, with National Assembly President Aboubacar Sompare reportedly urging the Supreme Court to name him the successor under the constitution.

    Meanwhile, the military declared the stationing of troops at key positions in the country, before a self-claimed National Council for Democracy broadcast on state radio and TV to dissolve the constitution and the government.

    A spokesman for the council said they began to take over "the destiny of the Guinean people'' pending a presidential election.

    The spokesman, who was identified as Capt. Moussa Camara, ordered government officials to report at the Alpha Yaya Diallo barracks, known for army mutinies against Conte when he was in power.

    Conte ruled the country for 24 years since seizing power in a military coup in 1984. He was the second president of the country after his predecessor Ahmed Sekou Toure died on March 26, 1984.

    Guinea won independence from France in 1958. It borders Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and Mali in the north, Cote d'Ivoire in the east, Sierra Leone and Liberia in the south and the Atlantic Ocean in the west.

    With an area of 245,857 square km and the population of 9.56 million, the country is also known for its rich mineral deposits, especially bauxite, which accounts for half of the world's total reserves. The country, however, remained one of the poorest in the world.

Editor: Wang Hongjiang