Heavy gunfire broke out near the presidential palace in Guinea’s capital Conakry today morning, with several news channels saying that an elite national army unit led by a former French legionnaire, Lt. Col Mamady Doumbouya, was behind a coup attempt against President Alpha Conde.
The military takeover of the government comes after Conde won a controversial third term last year.
The military coup was reportedly led by Lieutenant Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya, a former French legionnaire and an elite military unit commander.
The announcement followed hours of heavy gunfire near the presidential palace. Colonel Doumbouya, however, made no mention of the deposed president during his address to the nation. However, images and videos are circulating online showing Conde being surrounded by heavily armed soldiers.
