West Africa leaders leave Guinea after meeting sanctions-hit junta

Record ID: 1637437

  • Title: West Africa leaders leave Guinea after meeting sanctions-hit junta
  • Date: 17th September 2021
  • Summary: AIRCRAFT LEAVING AIRCRAFT FLYING AWAY
  • Embargoed: 1st October 2021 22:36
  • Keywords: africa coup diplomacy ecowas ghana guinea president
  • Location: CONAKRY, GUINEA
  • City: CONAKRY, GUINEA
  • Country: Guinea
  • Topics: Africa,Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA007EV3ZOZR
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Two West African leaders left Guinea after talks with the country's new military junta on Friday (September 17) aimed at freeing President Alpha Conde from detention, with no immediate word on whether they had been able to secure his release.
    Conde has been detained since his overthrow in a coup on Sept. 5. Earlier on Friday Ouattara and Akufo-Addo held meetings with coup leader Mamady Doumbouya, a special forces commander and former French Legionnaire.
    "We've had an excellent stay in Conakry, I would like to thank my young brother, President Doumbouya, the CNRD President and say that we've had a very good meeting. President Nana Akufo-Addo, whom I joined, just told you the essential points, so we also met my brother Alpha Conde, who is doing well and we'll stay in contact. Thank you to the people of Guinea," said Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara before embarking his aircraft.
    The two leaders, representing the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), held a separate meeting with Conde at the Mohamed VI Palace in Conakry, but left the country on Friday evening empty-handed, sources said.
    ECOWAS has demanded a return to constitutional rule since the special forces unit seized control of the presidential palace, detained Conde and declared itself in charge.
    The bloc agreed on Thursday to freeze financial assets of the junta and their relatives and bar them from travelling. It also demanded Conde's release. The junta has not responded.
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