In brief
Guinea’s newly elected president Mamady Doumbouya has dismissed over 170 soldiers on state television, accusing them of desertion. Among those fired is Colonel Michel Lamah, a former member of the Special Forces Group and key aide in the 2021 coup that brought Doumbouya to power. The move appears to be a consolidation of power, likely aimed at neutralising potential rivals within the military. Details of the alleged desertions remain sparse, but the decree signals the president’s resolve to tighten his grip after previously promising to hand over to civilian rule. The firings underscore the tense environment in Guinea where civil liberties have eroded and opposition parties face bans.
Guinea’s President Fires 173 Soldiers for Desertion
Guinea’s President Mamady Doumbouya announced the dismissal of 173 soldiers, accusing them of desertion. The firing list includes Colonel Michel Lamah, a former Special Forces Group officer who helped Doumbouya seize power in the 2021 coup.
Doumbouya had pledged not to seek elections after overthrowing President Alpha Condé. He later ran and won a landslide victory in December, ceding supreme authority to a civilian government, but his actions suggest a desire to consolidate control.
The decree, read on state television, does not specify the circumstances of the desertion accusations, leaving questions about the intended message behind the bannings.
The removals come amidst broader restrictions in Guinea—media shut down, protests banned, political parties suspended, and opposition leaders detained or exiled—indicating a tightening grip on dissent.
The military purge may also reflect Doumbouya’s ambition to transition Guinea from a raw material exporter to an industrial processing hub, a goal that demands an iron‑clad security apparatus.
