Guinea’s President Mamadi Doumbouya has moved to consolidate his authority by dismissing 173 soldiers for alleged desertion. Among those removed from their posts is Colonel Michel Lamah, a prominent figure who assisted Doumbouya during the 2021 coup that ousted former President Alpha Condé.
The decree, read by presidential spokesman General Amara Camara, provided no specific details regarding the circumstances of the desertions, but the move is widely viewed as a strategic effort to eliminate potential internal threats to the president's leadership.
Doumbouya, who initially pledged to oversee a transition to civilian rule, ultimately reneged on that promise and secured a landslide victory in December’s election. Since seizing power, the regime has maintained a firm hand, banning protests, suspending political opposition parties, and shuttering media outlets.
While the government claims to be focused on transforming Guinea’s mineral-rich economy into an industrial hub, the recent purge underscores the volatile nature of the current administration as it continues to sideline those who once stood by its side.
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