The military heads behind last week’s coup that removed Guinea’s President Alpha Conde have begun a week-long consultation with political, religious, and business leaders that they say will lead to the formation of a transitional government.

Guinea army junta holds talks with political, religious and business leader

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/guinea-president-replaces-security-minister-following-deadly-protests-261516">Guinea&nbsp;President&nbsp;Alpha Conde</a> said on Thursday that he would seek a public&nbsp;referendum&nbsp;on a new constitution, a move his opponents fear he will use as a pretext to hang onto&nbsp;power&nbsp;beyond the end of his&nbsp;constitutional&nbsp;mandate.

Conde has governed since 2010, and his second and final five-year term finishes next year. Demonstrations since October against a possible&nbsp;constitutional&nbsp;change have resulted in at least 14 deaths across the country.

The opposition suspects 81-year-old Conde plans to use a new constitution as a reset button on the current two-term limit. A proposed draft for a new constitution, seen by Reuters, does not explicitly state whether Conde would be eligible for the 2020 election, but Conde has refused to rule out running.

In a televised address on Thursday evening, Conde said the&nbsp;presidents of the National Assembly and the&nbsp;constitutional&nbsp;court had signed off on the proposal, which was drafted by a special commission.

"This proposal will be the subject of a broad public outreach campaign before its adoption by the sovereign people," he said, without specifying when the&nbsp;referendum&nbsp;would take place.

Conde says a new constitution is needed to replace the 2010 version, which he says was hastily drafted in an efforts to end coup leader Dadis Camara's brief tenure.

Conde's election victory in 2010 raised hopes for democratic progress in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-urges-justice-for-guinea-stadium-massacre-ten-years-on-252601">Guinea&nbsp;after decades</a> of authoritarian rule. But his critics accuse&nbsp;him&nbsp;of cracking down on dissent and violently repressing protests - charges he denies.

Guinea President Alpha Conde said on Thursday that he would seek a public referendum on a new constitution, a move his opponents fear he will use as a pretext to hang onto power beyond the end of his constitutional mandate.

Guinea President Alpha Conde said on Thursday that he would seek a public referendum on a new constitution, a move his opponents fear he will use as a pretext to hang onto power beyond the end of his constitutional mandate. Conde has governed since 2010, and his second and final five-year term finishes next year. Demonstrations since October against a possible constitutional change have resulted in at least 14 deaths across the country. The opposition suspects 81-year-old Conde plans to use a new constitution as a reset button on the current two-term limit. A proposed draft for a new constitution, seen by Reuters, does not explicitly state whether Conde would be eligible for the 2020 election, but Conde has refused to rule out running. In a televised address on Thursday evening, Conde said the presidents of the National Assembly and the constitutional court had signed off on the proposal, which was drafted by a special commission. "This proposal will be the subject of a broad public outreach campaign before its adoption by the sovereign people," he said, without specifying when the referendum would take place. Conde says a new constitution is needed to replace the 2010 version, which he says was hastily drafted in an efforts to end coup leader Dadis Camara's brief tenure. Conde's election victory in 2010 raised hopes for democratic progress in Guinea after decades of authoritarian rule. But his critics accuse him of cracking down on dissent and violently repressing protests - charges he denies.

Guinea president announces constitutional referendum that could keep him in power

Guinea President Alpha Conde announced on Monday that he was replacing his security minister following deadly protests against suspected efforts by Conde to extend his mandate.

Conde, 81, is due to step down next year when his second and final five-year term expires, but he has refused to rule out running again and asked his government in September to look into drafting a new constitution.

Conde's opponents fear a new constitution could be used as a reset button on his presidency, allowing Conde to run again like other African leaders who have amended or changed constitutions in recent years to stay in power.

Protests in Conakry, the capital, and the bauxite-mining north against such a move have resulted in at least 13 deaths over the past month.

The presidential statement read on national television on Monday evening did not provide a reason for the sacking of Security Minister Alpha Ibrahima Keira, but a senior government official told Reuters it was related to Keira's "difficulty managing the socio-political crisis."

Government spokesman Damantang Albert Camara will replace Keira as security minister. Conde also announced that he was replacing his health and justice ministers.

The government has said it would investigate the deaths during the protests, which opposition leaders and residents said were caused by security forces' opening fire on demonstrators.

Conde's first election victory in 2010 raised hopes for democratic progress in Guinea after decades of authoritarian rule. But his critics accuse him of cracking down on dissent and violently repressing protests - charges he denies.

A dozen opposition and civil society leaders were sentenced to prison last month for their role in organising the protests.

Guinea President Alpha Conde announced on Monday that he was replacing his security minister following deadly protests against suspected efforts by Conde to extend his mandate.

Guinea President Alpha Conde announced on Monday that he was replacing his security minister following deadly protests against suspected efforts by Conde to extend his mandate. Conde, 81, is due to step down next year when his second and final five-year term expires, but he has refused to rule out running again and asked his government in September to look into drafting a new constitution. Conde's opponents fear a new constitution could be used as a reset button on his presidency, allowing Conde to run again like other African leaders who have amended or changed constitutions in recent years to stay in power. Protests in Conakry, the capital, and the bauxite-mining north against such a move have resulted in at least 13 deaths over the past month. The presidential statement read on national television on Monday evening did not provide a reason for the sacking of Security Minister Alpha Ibrahima Keira, but a senior government official told Reuters it was related to Keira's "difficulty managing the socio-political crisis." Government spokesman Damantang Albert Camara will replace Keira as security minister. Conde also announced that he was replacing his health and justice ministers. The government has said it would investigate the deaths during the protests, which opposition leaders and residents said were caused by security forces' opening fire on demonstrators. Conde's first election victory in 2010 raised hopes for democratic progress in Guinea after decades of authoritarian rule. But his critics accuse him of cracking down on dissent and violently repressing protests - charges he denies. A dozen opposition and civil society leaders were sentenced to prison last month for their role in organising the protests.

Guinea president replaces security minister following deadly protests

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/benin-supports-indias-permanent-membership-to-unsc-during-kovinds-visit-239299">President Ram Nath Kovind</a> has been conferred with the National Order of Merit, the highest award of Guinea, during his official visit to the West African Nation.

The president dedicated the honour to the people of India, to their respect and regard for the Guinean people and to the long-standing mutual friendship between the two countries.

"May this recognition ever inspire us as we work together towards taking our relations to greater heights, and may this be our everlasting symbol for our mutual trust and confidence," Kovind said after being conferred with the honour by President of Guinea Alpha Conde.

The Indian president is currently on the last leg of his three-nation tour to West Africa. During his visit, India and Guinea signed three Memoranda of Understandings, including cooperation in the field of medicine and homoeopathy, renewable energy, and for participation in e-VidyaBharati and e-AarogyaBharat (e-VBAB) Network Project.

On Saturday, President Kovind and Conde held delegation-level talks aimed at further deepening relations between the two countries.

"Mr President, our discussions today convinced me that our ties can only get closer and stronger. We admire your leadership and your efforts in providing for inclusive growth for your people. We thank you for your efforts to further enhance our strong bilateral ties. India remains committed to deepening our friendship and cooperation. let us walk together in hand for peace and progress of our people," President Kovind added.

Meanwhile, the president&nbsp;returned home on Sunday after a successful week-long official tour to the West African nations of Benin, The Gambia, and Guinea.

President Ram Nath Kovind has been conferred with the National Order of Merit, the highest award of Guinea, during his official visit to the West African Nation.

President Ram Nath Kovind has been conferred with the National Order of Merit, the highest award of Guinea, during his official visit to the West African Nation. The president dedicated the honour to the people of India, to their respect and regard for the Guinean people and to the long-standing mutual friendship between the two countries. "May this recognition ever inspire us as we work together towards taking our relations to greater heights, and may this be our everlasting symbol for our mutual trust and confidence," Kovind said after being conferred with the honour by President of Guinea Alpha Conde. The Indian president is currently on the last leg of his three-nation tour to West Africa. During his visit, India and Guinea signed three Memoranda of Understandings, including cooperation in the field of medicine and homoeopathy, renewable energy, and for participation in e-VidyaBharati and e-AarogyaBharat (e-VBAB) Network Project. On Saturday, President Kovind and Conde held delegation-level talks aimed at further deepening relations between the two countries. "Mr President, our discussions today convinced me that our ties can only get closer and stronger. We admire your leadership and your efforts in providing for inclusive growth for your people. We thank you for your efforts to further enhance our strong bilateral ties. India remains committed to deepening our friendship and cooperation. let us walk together in hand for peace and progress of our people," President Kovind added. Meanwhile, the president returned home on Sunday after a successful week-long official tour to the West African nations of Benin, The Gambia, and Guinea.

President Ram Nath Kovind conferred with National Order of Merit, Guinea's highest award

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Guinea army junta holds talks with political, religious and business leader

Guinea president announces constitutional referendum that could keep him in power

Guinea president replaces security minister following deadly protests

President Ram Nath Kovind conferred with National Order of Merit, Guinea's highest award