Guinea: Authorities plan to reopen all land borders in mid-September, following Sept. 5 coup /update 8

Event

The National Committee of Rally and Development (Comite National du Rassemblement et du Developpement, CNRD) has announced the gradual reopening of land borders from Sept. 15 following the Sept 5 coup. The borders reopening will be scheduled as follow:

• Border with Sierra Leone by Sept. 15

• Border with Liberia by Sept. 16

• Border with Cote d'Ivoire by Sept. 17

• Border with Mali by Sept. 18

• Border with Guinea-Bissau by Sept. 20

• Border with Senegal by Sept. 24

Grounds travel disruptions are likely at border posts as commuters seek to resume cross-border business operations. Additional security forces are likely to monitor the reopening and movement of people.

As of Sept. 14, the situation remains calm across the country. A nightly 22:00-05:00 curfew remains in place until further notice, except for mining areas. Air borders have reopened for commercial and humanitarian operations.

Public gatherings in response to related political developments are possible nationwide. Any gathering is likely to be met by a security force deployment. Clashes are possible at all protest locations.

Context

The borders with Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Guinea-Bissau were closed in late September 2020, just before presidential elections were held on Oct. 18, for security reasons. The border with Sierra Leone had reopened since the elections but closed again following the Sept. 5 coup that ousted President Alpha Conde. The borders with Mali, Cote d'Ivoire, and Liberia were closed on Sept. 5 following the coup.

The political and security situations remain fluid across the country following the Sept. 5 coup, which was led by Lieutenant Colonel Doumbouya of the Special Forces Group (Groupement des forces Speciales). The coup ousted former President Alpha Conde; according to military sources, Conde has been taken to an undisclosed location. Doumbouya has announced the suspension of the constitution, the dissolution of the government, and that the CNRD has assumed power. Regional commanders have also replaced regional governors. The CNRD announced that a government of national unity would be put in place to lead the transition; however, no details regarding what the transition will entail or a date for democratic elections have been announced.

Advice

Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Avoid concentrations of security force personnel and protesters. Ensure contingency plans are reviewed and updated. Monitor developments closely with a trusted contact. Plan for disruptions at border crossing points.