Guinea's President Dismisses 173 Soldiers, Including Coup Ally, Over Desertion

President Mamady Doumbouya of Guinea has ordered the dismissal of 173 soldiers from the national armed forces. The decree, publicly broadcast on state television, cites desertion as the official reason for their removal. Among those dismissed is General Ibrahima Baldé, a notable figure who served as the Secretary General of the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection under the post-coup government.

General Baldé's removal is particularly significant given his previous role as a key ally in the September 2021 coup that brought Colonel Doumbouya to power, ousting then-President Alpha Condé. This extensive purge of military personnel is widely interpreted as a calculated effort by the ruling junta to solidify its authority and eliminate potential challenges to its control.

The West African nation has been under military rule since the 2021 coup, with Colonel Doumbouya, now President, pledging a return to civilian governance by 2025. However, the international community, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), continues to monitor the political transition with scepticism.