Coup Being Attempted In Guinea - Assembly Chief

An attempted military coup was underway in Guinea, the country's national assembly president said on Tuesday, but he did not believe it had the support of all the armed forces.

"There is an attempted coup d'etat," Aboubacar Sompare told French TV station France 24.

"I don't think all of the military are behind it ... It's a group," he added, speaking from the capital Conakry.

http://www.javno.com/en/world/clanak.php?id=217773

Troops Head Toward Guinea Presidential Compound

CONAKRY, Guinea – Three tanks and dozens of armed soldiers are heading toward Guinea's presidential compound.

An Associated Press reporter saw the troops and tanks moving in the direction of the compound, which houses the office of the West African nation's prime minister.

The troops' allegiance was not immediately apparent.

But they appeared less than an hour after Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Souare announced in a state broadcast that he was inside his office and that his government had not been dissolved.

Junior army officers had announced a coup d'etat earlier Tuesday. They said the government had been dissolved hours after the death of longtime dictator Lansana Conte was announced.

more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081223/ap_on_re_af/af_guinea_coup

It took me a minute.:)

Dec 23 (Reuters) - Guinea announced on Tuesday the death of President Lansana Conte and army officers attempted a coup.

Here is a timeline since Guinea gained independence from France.

Oct. 1958 - Guinea becomes independent, with Ahmed Sekou Toure as its first president.

1965 - Sekou Toure breaks off relations with France after accusing it of trying to oust him.

Jan. 1979 - The country is renamed the People's Revolutionary Republic of Guinea.

March 1984 - Sekou Toure dies. In April, the army seizes power and Col. Lansana Conte becomes president.

July 1985 - Former prime minister Diarra Traore fails to seize power in coup attempt. He is later executed.

Dec. 1990 - In a referendum, 99 per cent of Guinea's voters endorse a new constitution to end one-party military rule.

Dec. 1993 - Conte wins Guinea's first multi-party election, but opposition cries foul after some results are cancelled.

Feb. 1996 - Up to 40 people killed in army pay mutiny that becomes a rebellion against Conte. Conte, captured by the mutineers is released and raises salaries for troops.

Dec. 1998 - Conte re-elected in a vote held after the arrest of his main challenger, Alpha Conde, for sedition.

Nov. 2001 - Referendum changes constitution to lift limit on serving two presidential terms which would have forced Conte to retire in 2003. Opposition rejects result as rigged.

Dec. 2003 - Conte re-elected.

Jan. 2005 - Dissident soldiers attempt to assassinate Conte as he drives through Conakry, the country's capital.

Feb. 2007 - Conte appoints Lansana Kouyate as prime minister after general strike and protests in which over 180 were killed.

May 2007 - Army protests leave at least 10 civilians dead. Conte sacks some senior commanders.

May 2008 - Several people are killed in army pay revolt that followed dismissal of Kouyate. Government pays salary arrears.

Dec. 23, 2008 - Government announces Conte's death. Group of soldiers attempt coup.

http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnLN465957.html