ECOWAS has no power to demand freedom, reinstatement of Alpha Conde – Al Wahab

International Diplomatic Consultant Al Wahab Farouk has expressed doubt that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) can bring about any positive development in the Guinean coup crisis.

He shared that it will be less likely that the bloc will influence the return of Alpha Conde as the President of the country Guinea.

Speaking to Happy FM’s Don Prah on the ‘Epa Hoa Daben’ show, he reasoned that while the young coup leader, Col. Mamady Doumbouya, will receive and acknowledge the communique to reinstate Alpha Conde, such instruction will not be acted upon.

“ECOWAS cannot instruct the military rulers to reinstate Alpha Conde. There was a constitutional order and the man had abused the constitutional order leading to the coup d’état. President Nana Akufo-Addo as the chairman cannot force for the freedom of Alpha Conde. No matter what, the ECOWAS cannot use any military force to take him from the coup. Nana is just going to visit Alpha Conde to check if he is taking his medication”.

On 5th September, 2021, soldiers in Guinea led by Col. Mamady Doumbouya overthrew 83-year-old President Alpha Conde. Announcing the dissolution of the government, the leader of the coup on national TV said the army had no choice but to seize power because of rampant corruption, abuse and disregard of human rights as well as economic mismanagement all under the rulership of Alpha Conde.

The recent action led to an emergency summit of ECOWAS in Accra to deliberate on the way forward against the military government in Guinea and also to discuss the slow progress towards constitutional rule in Mali following a coup in the country last year.

On Thursday, 16th September, 2021, the West African leaders imposed sanctions on Guinea’s Coup leaders and called for elections in 6 months in a demand for a quick return to civilian rule after troops ousted President Alpha Conde.