GUINEA JUNTA FREEZES ACCOUNTS OF DISSOLVED GOVT OFFICIALS
After dissolving the administration for unspecified reasons, Guinea’s junta ordered the confiscation of government members’ passports and the freezing of their bank accounts.
The administration, which has been in place since July 2022, was ordered to dissolve on Monday by the military, which seized control in a coup in September 2021.
Chief of Staff General Ibrahima Sory Bangoura stated on state television that the junta had ordered their accounts to be frozen, their travel documents to be revoked, and their service vehicles, bodyguards, and assistants to be withdrawn. About twenty other soldiers were present when he made this announcement.
The measures have not yet had a public justification provided.
Like many of those who have seized power in West Africa since 2020, the junta in Guinea has put fighting corruption at the forefront of its agenda.
Public broadcaster RTG ran a three-minute tribute to junta leader Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, stating he was “reaffirming his leadership and proving that he remains the sole master.”
The broadcast spoke of “moments of adversity”, without specifying further.
Tensions have been recently reported between government members, and at the beginning of this month, the capital, Conakry, witnessed a rare protest.
The junta banned all demonstrations in 2022 and has arrested several opposition leaders, civil society members, and the press.
Internet access has been restricted for several weeks.
Under international pressure, Doumbouya has promised to hand the reins of government back to elected civilians by the end of 2024.
The military has said the so-called transitional period would allow it to carry out far-reaching reforms in Guinea, which remains poor despite considerable natural resources.