Guinea presidency denies tension around presidential palace

Guinea denied on Thursday there was an emergency situation in the area surrounding its presidential palace, after allegations of gunfire sparked panic in the capital, Conakry.

Local media reported earlier that people had been told to leave the downtown area of Kaloum district, which houses the presidential palace as well as ministries, embassies and banks.

Outlets Guinee Matin and Guinee News said members of the special forces were in place.

Guinea’s presidency said “a wild rumour of alleged gunfire at the Presidency of the Republic was spread in the city and abroad”, adding that “these rumours were false and fabricated”.

“This intoxication led to a climate of panic in places,” it said in a statement on X, read out on state television.

The presidency told residents to go about their daily business as usual.

Gunfire heard in Kaloum was one of the first signs of the 2021 coup that toppled civilian president Alpha Conde and brought the current junta to power.

Led by General Mamady Doumbouya, who has since been sworn in as president, the junta has overseen a crackdown on dissent, banning all protests in 2022.

Under pressure from regional bloc ECOWAS, Guinea’s military-led leaders agreed to organise elections by the end of 2024 after a so-called transition period.

They have since admitted they will not live up to this commitment.