Heavy gunfire reported near Guinea's presidential palace

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By BOUBACAR DIALLO

CONAKRY, Guinea (AP) — Heavy gunfire erupted early Sunday near the presidential palace in Guinea’s capital, witnesses said, raising security concerns in a country with a long history of military power grabs and coup attempts.

It wasn’t immediately known whether President Alpha Conde was home at the time the shooting began, according to witnesses in the Kaloum neighborhood of Conakry.

Conde has faced mounting criticism ever since he sought a third term in office last year, saying the constitutional term limits didn’t apply in his case. He was ultimately reelected, but the move prompted violent street demonstrations, and the opposition said dozens were killed.

Conde came to power in 2010 in the country’s first democratic elections since independence from France in 1958. Many saw his presidency as a fresh start for the mineral-rich country, which has been mired by decades of corrupt, authoritarian rule.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/africa-guinea-214f607402a533c581bbd7ef91d5bb0f

[nitpicker]

1. Link to BBC

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-58453778

[BumRushDaShow]

2. One of the biggest things that this country produces and exports

is bauxite (supposedly nearly 25% of the world supply is there and Guinea is one of the, if not the largest source of it) and that is used to manufacture aluminum, which for obvious reasons, is a crucial product used in many industries.

Much of the rancor and political corruption over the decades with the revolving door of leaders, has emanated out of their relationships with the mining industry (looking at you Alcoa, although not just them but also Russia and China).

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