Junta chief claims to be new president in Guinea

by Sanjay Jha | December 24, 2008 at 09:23 pm

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A junior army officer who led the coup in Guinea, Capt Moussa Dadis Camara, has declared himself as new "president of the republic". He has also clampdown an overnight curfew throughout the country.
Camara has promised elections in 2010 amid international calls for a democratic transition.

The new president took out a rally in the capital in the military convoy waved to throng that had lined u streets of the capital and a big crowd following them cheered and screamed in jubilation. Soldiers accompanying new president were seen carrying sophisticated weapons.

The putschists issued a statement declaring that Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, a mid-ranking officer who had previously been head of the military's fuel supplies unit, was now in charge.

Camara, who led a coup in Guinea following the death of president Lansana Conte, told journalists late Wednesday that he was the new "president of the republic."

"I am convinced, reassured that I am the president of the republic, the head of the (junta's) National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD)," he said at his first press conference, noting a "big movement of support" in the country "from the military camp to the level of the presidential palace."

Camara's remarks came as international condemnation grew against the putschists' bid for power following the death of long-time strongman Conte on Monday.

In an apparent show of strength, several hundred soldiers backing Camara left the main military base near the international airport and began parading through Conakry.

They stopped at another military base, Camp Kundara, which houses the presidential guard, then headed for the state broadcasting headquarters, some chanting: "Long live the new leader."

Camara joined them in different areas of the capital and a crowd of thousands of his supporters thronged the streets that surround the presidential palace and the government ministries, before dispersing peacefully.

International condemnation meanwhile grew with the African Union warning of "stern measures" if the military ignored calls to allow a democratic transition of power following the death of long-time dictator Conte.