Guinea’s new strongman is parting ways with some 40 army generals after sending them into early retirement.
Less than two weeks after his inauguration on October 1, Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya shook up the military hierarchy in Guinea by sending 44 generals into retirement.
Among the prominent figures to fall in this great shake-up are 57-year old General Sekouba Konate, the former president of the transition (2009-2010), General Namory Traoré, former chief of general staff of the army, General Ibrahima Balde, former high commander of the national gendarmerie, General Bourema Conde, former Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, General Mathurin Bangoura, former governor of Conakry, and General Remy Lamah, former minister of Health,
According to a decree read out on national television, the retired generals are entitled to “a diplomatic passport as well as their spouses, a new non-renewable vehicle, a monthly allocation of fuel and free health care”.
They may also “hold civilian positions.”
In addition, 28 of the retired general officers were assigned to the Higher Defense Council.
41-year-old Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya, thus places his most trusted men within the Guinean army after the September 5th putsch which ousted President Alpha Conde.
The former president who is under house arrest still refuses to resign.
CD/fss/as/APA