Monrovia—Liberian security officials have launched an investigation into a suspected plot to overthrow the military-led government of Guinean President Mamadi Doumbouya.
This comes after the arrest of Ibrahima Khalil Cherif at the Liberia-Guinea border, allegedly involved in efforts to destabilize Guinea, including recruiting mercenaries.
According to Liberian security sources, Cherif is suspected of receiving financial support from former Guinean President Alpha Condé, who was ousted by Doumbouya in a 2021 coup. Condé, Guinea’s first democratically elected president, had ruled from 2010 until his removal following widespread unrest over his controversial third-term bid.
The Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) reported on Wednesday, September 18, that Cherif had been transported to Monrovia, where he faces charges including mercenary activity, insurrection, criminal conspiracy, and solicitation. The report claims Cherif received $150,000 from Condé to fund the alleged plot.
While Condé has been living in exile in Turkey since his ousting, rumors have surfaced suggesting he may have relocated to a neighboring African country. The timing of Cherif’s arrest aligns with a call from Guinea’s Prime Minister Bah Oury, urging neighboring nations not to allow their territories to be used as staging grounds for destabilization efforts.
On Friday, September 20, Guinea’s junta leadership addressed the situation. General Amara Camara, a spokesperson for the presidency, acknowledged reports of the plot but expressed little surprise, stating that Condé was capable of such actions.
He also issued a stern warning that the current government would act against anyone attempting to destabilize Guinea, including Condé.
However, Condé’s political party, the Rally of the Guinean People (RPG), has dismissed the accusations as baseless. Marc Yombouno, a former trade minister and RPG official, challenged the government to provide evidence, dismissing the allegations as “nonsense” and emphasizing that the party, which once rose to power democratically, has no intention of reclaiming it through undemocratic means.
As investigations continue, tensions remain high between Guinea’s military rulers and allies of the former president.
