Daily Independent (Lagos)
Festus Owete
29 December 2008
The Presidency of the European Union's Council has condemned the situation in Guinea and warned against any attempt by the military to take over power following the death of President Lansana Conte early last week.
Similarly, the House of Representatives on Sunday called on the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to ensure that democratic rule was restored in Guinea without further delay.
A group of soldiers, led by one Captain Moussa Camara, reportedly seized power in the country following the death of President Conte.
Although they initially promised to hand over to a democratically-elected government within 60 days, they, however, recapitulated when they promised to conduct elections in 2010.
A statement by Ambassade De France Au Nigeria Press and Communication Service in Abuja, said EU demanded that all actors in the political crisis in Guinea should urgently work in spirit of consensus and in the higher interest of the country through dialogue.
France currently occupies the Presidency of EU.
The statement said: "The Presidency of the European Union's Council firmly condemns any attempt to take over power by force in Guinea.
"It demands from all Guinean actors to urgently work in a spirit of consensus and in the higher interest of Guinea whilst favouring dialogue.
"It calls the different authorities, be they civilian or military, to take part in the running of the Guinean democratic institutions as soon as possible in order to guarantee a peaceful transition with the prospect of a speedy organisation of free and transparent elections."
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Eseme Eyibor, said in a statement in Abuja that the military junta that seized power in Guinea last week following Conte's demise should be asked to return to their barracks in the interest of the West African country.
Eyiboh insisted that the soldiers should be forced out of power since the "worst democratic government is better than the best military regime."
The lawmaker described the forceful take over of power by the juntas as tantamount to "visiting holocaust" on the poor nation and that AU and ECOWAS should take decisive steps to restore democracy in the country.
He warned that should the military be allowed to have its way in Guinea, it would portend great danger for other African democracies.
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Captain Moussa camara is just unlucky, because coup d'etat is not acceptable, not only to EU and USA, but even to his own African brothers.I hope he will read thw writting on the wall, and save himself and our country from untold misery.