Guinea's president dismisses 173 soldiers, including coup ally, for desertion

Guinea President Mamady Doumbouya has dismissed over 170 soldiers for desertion, including a colonel who helped him seize power in a coup in 2021. The move comes as part of ongoing efforts to root out dissent within his government.

Doumbouya seized power in Guinea four years ago, after leading a successful military coup that ousted President Alpha Condé. He initially vowed not to seek election and would hand over to civilian rule, but he reneged on that promise and stood in December's election - which he won with a landslide.

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Background and Context

The dismissals, confirmed in a decree on state television, are thought to be part of ongoing efforts to maintain control over the military. Col Michel Lamah, who was a member of the Special Forces Group (GFS), the elite army unit Doumbouya once commanded, is one of those who have been let go.

Guinea has seen a crackdown on many civil liberties since the coup. Media outlets have been shut down, protests have been banned, and some political parties have been suspended while activists and opposition figures have been arrested or exiled.

The move The country is rich in mineral resources and has been working to transform itself into an industrial processing hub, but the crackdown on dissent could hinder progress.

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Col Michel Lamah's Dismissal

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President Mamady Doumbouya, 41, won elections in December - four years after seizing power in a coup Guinea's President Mamadi Doumbouya, 41, has dismissed more than 170 soldiers for "desertion", including a colonel who helped him seize power in a coup in 2021.

Col Michel Lamah was a member of the Special Forces Group (GFS), the elite army unit which Doumbouya once commanded.

When he overthrew President Alpha Condé, Doumbouya stated he would not seek election and would hand over to civilian rule. He went on to renege on that promise and stood in December's election - which he won with a landslide.

The dismissals, confirmed in a decree on state television, are thought to be part of ongoing efforts Those in the firing line came from various branches of the military. No details were given about the circumstances of the alleged desertions of the 173 military personnel when Gen Amara Camara, the president's spokesman, read out the decree on Monday.