COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has written to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki over the recent coup d'etat in Guinea-Conakry that resulted in dethronement and arrest of President Alpha Condé.
In a statement released on Tuesday, September 7, Atwoli sought the immediate intervention of the AU for the restoration of civilian rule in Guinea-Conakry and demanded the release of President Condé.
He termed the military coup d'etat in the troubled country as primitive and uncouth behaviour mainly used in past regimes during the colonial period as a means of seizing power.
"Issues of coup d'etat in the African Continent are primitive, uncouth and crude methods used in the yesteryears to gain power; but considering we have over time embraced democracy, freedom of speech, peace, and tolerance, such ill-advised methods should not be encouraged or used to gain power," part of the statement read.
The COTU boss urged Faki to move with speed in order to consolidate the support of the other African States and trade unions such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other Regional Economic Communities (RECs).
"They must, in the process, make sure that President Condé is released and reinstalled and, if need be for any changes, a constitutional process be followed," he stated.
He advocated for issues to be solved in Guinea through constitutional means and not through the forceful seizure of power.
The military in Guinea on Sunday, September 5, ousted President Condé and ultimately seized power in the country.
The coup saw the dissolution of both the Cabinet and the country's constitution. Further, a nationwide curfew was imposed until further notice.
While addressing senior government officials on Monday, September 6, Mamady Doumbouya, the military leader, promised to set up a transitional government of national unity.
"A consultation will be carried out to define the major framework of the transition, then a government of national unity will be put in place to lead the transition."
“At the end of this transitional phase, we’ll set the tone for a new era for governance and economic development,” the military leader stated.
