A largely welcomed coup in Guinea

[Robbien]

Source: International Herald Trib

By Thursday afternoon, the coup attempt in Guinea seemed to have simply become a coup.

In one fell swoop, most of the top politicians of this impoverished West African country surrendered themselves to the cadre of junior officers who began seizing power Tuesday after the death of the country's longstanding ruler. The army's rank-and-file seemed to be lining up behind the junior officers. And the coup leaders swiftly replaced governors with military commanders.

Though the young officers essentially shoved aside Guinea's civilian leadership at gunpoint, there was not a lot of complaining among the populace.

People in Conakry, Guinea's steamy, seaside capital, flooded back into the streets Thursday, resuming their lives, playing soccer, going shopping, with many saying they hoped the coup would usher in better government.

. . .

Ahmedou Oury Bah, the minister of national reconciliation, said that he decided to succumb to the coup leaders because it was better than being hunted down, as the junior officers had threatened.

When asked if this meant that he supported the coup leaders, Bah answered in an indirect, but telling, way. "We're acknowledging that they're in power," he said.

Read more: http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/12/25/africa/25guinea-FW-396288.php

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A coup happens and everyone seems just fine about it.

down at the bottom of the article:

Given that their country has been ruled by just two presidents, both notorious dictators, for almost all of the past 50 years, many Guineans seemed to welcome the coup, or at least were not outspokenly against it. One word on many lips Thursday seemed reminiscent of a certain political phenomenon an ocean away: change.

"We want change," said Mamadou Aliou Barry, a construction worker in the capital. "What happened yesterday took too long."

Some people on Conakry's streets have even starting calling Camara, the new president, "Obama junior."

[ohio2007]

1. Guinea coup leader solidifies his hold over nation

meet the new boss....



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/af_guinea_coup
same as the old boss

[David__77]

2. Right-wing coup.

Workers organizations are being repressed. I hope this government is short-lived.