The article chosen for this essay is entitled “The National Rally Committee for Development (CNRD) supports the Nigerien putschists, provoking mixed reactions in Conakry”. This article discusses the position taken by the CNRD, which has ruled Guinea since September 2021, in favor of the recent coup in Niger. This position aroused various reactions within the Guinean political class.
According to the CNRD press release, the Guinean junta supports the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland (CNSP), which has been at the head of Niger since July 26. This declaration was addressed to ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States, which advocated sanctions against the Nigerien putschists.
The reactions to this stance within the Guinean political class were mixed. Some supporters of the junta welcomed this position, seeing it as a confirmation of Guinea’s sovereignty and proof of its foreign policy neutrality. However, for some members of the opposition, the CNRD does not have the legitimacy to engage the Guinean people in such support, especially since it has pledged to return to constitutional order within a of 24 months.
This situation raises questions about the real intentions of the leaders of French-speaking West African countries. Some see the attempt to create a union within ECOWAS as a threat to democracy and the rule of law.
It is important to recall that this CNRD position paper was signed by the Chief of the Defense Staff, General Ibrahima Sory Bangoura.
In conclusion, the CNRD’s support for the Nigerien putschists has provoked mixed reactions within the Guinean political class. While some supporters of the junta welcome this position, others believe that the CNRD should not drag Guinea into this adventure. The real motivations of the leaders of these French-speaking West African countries are also questioned. It remains to be seen how this situation will evolve and what the consequences will be for relations between Guinea and ECOWAS