Russia, Guinea’s diplomatic row resolved, as ambassador apologizes

The military junta in Guinea, has protested to Russia’s ambassador after his embassy reportedly warned of possible unrest in Conakry, capital of the West African nation.

Russia’s warning to its citizens in Guinea was issued after junta leader Colonel Mamady Doumbouya dissolved the government, and ordered the closure of all borders.

Ambassador Alexey Popov apologised to the junta for what he called a misunderstanding, Guinean media reported.

Col Doumbouya took power in a 2021 coup.

He dissolved his government on Monday without offering any explanation.

He also ordered the seizure of the passports of sacked ministers, and the freezing of their bank accounts.

The junta reacted angrily to Russia’s statement with an official in its foreign ministry summoning Mr Popov to a meeting.

“I explained that it was a misunderstanding, a false translation of what was published.

“The announcement was published only in Russian for Russian citizens,” Mr Popov was quoted as saying by Guinea’s state-owned television and radio.

The junta accepted the apology.

Guinea is one of several former French colonies in West Africa to be hit by coups in recent years.

The juntas, which seized power in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have pivoted toward Russia, while being hostile towards France and the West African regional bloc, Ecowas.

However, Col Doumbouya has tried to maintain good relations with all sides.

He has promised to hold elections to restore democratic rule by the end of 2024.

Russia’s Vladimir Putin

The junta banned all demonstrations in 2022 and has detained several opposition leaders, and members of civil society groups.

Col Doumbouya overthrew President Alpha Condé in September 2021, saying the army had little choice but to seize power because of rampant corruption, disregard for human rights and economic mismanagement.

Mr Condé was Guinea’s first democratically elected president, taking office in 2010 following the end of military rule.

He was re-elected in 2015, but faced protests four years later when he changed the constitution to run for a third term.

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