An ex-general and three other former associates of ousted president Alpha Conde are among the first ministers named by Guinea’s coup leaders.
The junta has repeatedly assured investors, donors, and regional powers that last month’s overthrow of Conde was only a one-time action to remove a “corrupt elite,” and that it does not plan to remain in power after that.
The military junta announced that Aboubacar Sidiki Camara had been named transitional defense minister on state television late Thursday.
He previously served as Guinea’s ambassador to Cuba and as Conde’s chief of staff for the defense ministry.
Former defense attaché Bachir Diallo and former foreign trade director Louhopou Lamah have been appointed to the positions of security minister and environment minister, respectively.
The junta has appointed Abdulrahmane Sikhé Camara as its Secretary-General. He had previously served as a position adviser.
The African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed sanctions on Guinea after a special forces unit deposed Conde on September 5.
This coup was the fourth in West and Central Africa since 2020, following coups in Mali and Chad. Conde had enraged his opponents by amending the constitution to allow him to run for a third term.
Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya, the leader of the coup, was sworn in as interim president on Oct. 1. He promised to hold free and fair elections without giving a date. The junta has barred its own members from voting in future elections.
