Guinea Junta Appoints Prime Minister For Transition Government

The one-time United Nations Assistant Secretary General, was named on Wednesday through a presidential decree.

Béavogui, as prime minister, will be the head of the transition government which will be charged with steering the country to civilian rule. He will be responsible for organising local, legislative and presidential elections at a yet to be specified date.

His appointment marks fulfilment of a major promise by the junta in a transition charter published late last month, which details the roadmap of the country’s return to democratic rule.

Guinea came under military rule following the September 5 coup in which special forces soldiers led by Col Doumbouya ousted former president Alpha Conde.

The junta has been under pressure by the international community, particularly the African Union and Economic Community of West African States to return the country to civilian rule.

The appointment of Béavogui comes six days after Doumbouya was sworn in as president of the transitional government.