By Tolbert Yarkpawolo
Guinea’s President Conte
Guinea’s authoritarian president, Lansana Conté, was killed today during an early morning military coup d’état. Within hours of his death an unknown military-led group calling it self the National Council for Democracy and Development said it had seized power in the West African state of Guinea , claiming it had suspended the Constitution and government, according to news reports.
The news agency said the takeover was announced by a military captain called Moussa Dadis Camara, who said a “consultative council” of civilian and military personnel would run the country to combat “deep despair,” revive the economy and fight corruption.
Immediate after your announcement, the government denied the claim. Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Souare 
Demonstrators in Guinea
The prime minister was responding to statements by a uniformed army officer, who was reported as announcing on state television and radio that a group calling itself the National Council for Democracy and Development was “taking charge of the destiny of the Guinean people.” “The constitution is dissolved,” the officer was quoted as saying. “The government is dissolved. The institutions of the republic are dissolved.” Adding to the sense of confusion and crisis, the A.P. said one of its reporters saw tanks and troops heading toward the presidential compound in the capital, Conakry.
National Council for Democracy and Development coup is similar to that of the one staged by Mr. Conté in 1984 when he rise to power in a military coup following the death of his predecessor, Ahmed Sekou Toure. Mr. Sekou Toure had ruled with an iron fist since the country’s independence in 1958.
The latest reports of military action underscored concern about the future of multi-party rule in Africa only years after the continent seemed to be enjoying a steady blossoming of democracy. In the past few years, there have been allegations of rigged ballots in Nigeria and violence after disputed elections in Kenya and Zimbabwe.
The African Union, the continent’s biggest representative group, expressed concern at the military’s action in Guinea.
“We pay homage to the memory of the departed head of state, but we are preoccupied and keenly following this development and the succession of president Conté,” the African Union’s peace and security commissioner, Ramtane Lamamra, told the Agence France-Presse news agency.
The African Union, a spineless, ineffective and useless organization usually sit on the sideline and shows it face after the damage have been done. Case in point Guinea and soon to be Zimbabwe and Mugabe.
Demonstrators in Guinea
Mr. Conté faced at least two attempts by military elements to eject him from office. While he formed a political party to win elections in 1993, 1998 and 2003, the elections were widely depicted as fraudulent.
Mr. Conté’s death followed known reports that he was seriously ill and incapacitated but yet refused to peacefully and democratically relinquish power. Mr. Conté’s dictatorial rule of Guinea, a country of 10 million suffering people drew widespread charges of abuse from human rights monitors.
Guinea is one of the world’s poorest countries despite potential riches from agriculture and minerals, including some of the world’s biggest deposits of bauxite, used to make aluminum.
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As sad as it may sound, I do agree with you when you said…”But then again, there are no other alternative when a tyrant, despot and dictator insist on imposing himself on the masses by refusing to peacefully and democratically relinquish power?”
Just as Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Conte ruled with a iron fist. At times there are no other alternatives but an AK47. Conte was an idiot and he deserves to be where he is today. Dumb M#$@^+ F*@&^%