International community condemns takeover but many in impoverished west African country welcome it

Guinea’s president, Alpha Condé, is being held in military detention, according to an elite unit of the army who have led a coup condemned by the international community but welcomed by many in Guinea.

The coup leader and head of the country’s special forces, Col Mamadi Doumbouya, announced in state broadcasts on Sunday that the country’s constitution had been suspended, the government dissolved and the borders closed, with a 24-hour curfew imposed.

Guinea's special forces soldiers surrounded the presidential palace in the capital, Conakry, after they appeared to have ousted the country's long-serving president. Videos shared on social media showed president Alpha Condé in a room surrounded by army special forces. Residents in the Guinean capital could be seen celebrating as lines of special forces soldiers drove through the city. 

• Guinean soldiers claim to have seized power in coup attempt

Elite army unit says it has deposed president Alpha Condé but defence ministry says attack has been put down

An elite national army unit has announced it has seized power in Guinea and deposed the country’s president, Alpha Condé, in an attempted coup, after heavy gunfire was heard near the presidential palace in the capital, Conakry, on Sunday morning.

Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya, the head of the unit and leader of the coup attempt sat drapped in the country’s flag during a brief address on the national broadcaster, Radio Television Guinea, and said the country’s parliament and constitution had been suspended and the borders shut.