Guinea opposition leader backs coup against incumbent president Alpha Condé

Guinea’s main opposition leader has welcomed Sunday’s ousting of President Alpha Condé calling it an opportunity for a new beginning for the country.

Cellou Dalein Diallo said the army had made “a historic act that completes the fight” started by pro-democracy groups.

He urged the army to ensure there was national reconciliation.

The UN, African Union, and regional body Ecowas have condemned the coup saying that constitutional order should be restored.

They have also called for the release of President Condé who was last seen on Sunday surrounded by the army’s special forces.

The coup leader Col Mamady Doumbouya told reporters on Monday that the ousted leader was in their custody and was safe.

Mr Diallo was the president’s main challenger in last year’s election, which saw Mr Condé run for a controversial third term.

The ousted leader was initially elected in 2010 in the country’s first democratic transfer of power.

Despite overseeing some economic progress, he has since been accused of presiding over numerous human rights abuses and harassment of his critics.

In a statement on Monday, Mr Diallo, who once served as Guinea’s prime minister, called the coup “a victory of our people and the failure of the dictatorial regime”.

He said the takeover “completes” the work of his National Alliance for Democratic Alternation party and other pro-democracy groups.

The opposition leader said he would back the coup leaders in their fight against corruption and impunity, urging them to work together to “build a peaceful democracy in our country”.

The coup has been widely welcomed by Guineans, hundreds of residents in the capital Conakry cheered on soldiers after it was confirmed that they had ousted Mr Condé’s

In a broadcast on state TV on Sunday night, a group of soldiers announced the dissolution of the constitution, the closure of the borders and a nationwide curfew.

They said regional governors had been replaced by military commanders, and the ousted 83-year-old president was safe but in detention.

Coup leader Col Mamady Doumbouya said his soldiers had seized power because they wanted to end rampant corruption, human rights abuses and mismanagement.