Guinea's president dismisses 173 soldiers, including coup ally, for desertion

Guinea's President Mamadi Doumbouya has fired 173 soldiers for desertion, including Colonel Michel Lamah, a key figure in the 2021 coup that brought him to power. The dismissals were announced in a presidential decree on Monday, though no details were given about the exact circumstances surrounding the alleged desertions. Colonel Lamah, a former member of the elite Special Forces Group, gained notoriety during the coup when troops stormed the presidential palace and arrested then-President Alpha Condé.

Lamah, who was the commander of the Special Forces at the time, led the coup and subsequently became head of Guinea's military authorities. This latest round of dismissals comes as Doumbouya continues to reform the nation's military and security institutions, emphasizing discipline and military hierarchy. The decision to remove Colonel Lamah is particularly significant as he was one of the officers involved in the operation that helped Doumbouya seize power five years ago.

Initially, Doumbouya had pledged not to run for elected office and eventually restore civilian rule, but he later contested the presidential election and won decisively. His government has faced scrutiny for curtailing civil liberties, including limitations on protests, media pressure, and the treatment of opposition figures. The dismissal of these 173 soldiers marks another substantial step in Doumbouya's endeavor to reshape Guinea's armed forces and consolidate his authority over the country's security apparatus.