Namibia has joined the international community in condemning the military coup in Guinea on Sunday and called for the release of the country’s democratically elected president Alpha Condé. 

“Namibia expresses its strong disapproval to the lack of respect for the legitimate and democratically elected president of Guinea and calls upon the military to respect the rule of law and the return to civilian rule. In this regard, Namibia calls upon the citizens of Guinea not to resort to violence in addressing their concerns,” the international relations ministry said in a statement.  “Namibia further reiterates its unwavering support for the principle enshrined in the AU Constitutive Act, of condemning and rejecting unconstitutional changes of government. As such, Namibia aligns herself with the statement issued by Felix Tshisekedi, president of the Democratic Republic of Congo and chairperson of the African Union, and H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the African Union Commission, and reiterates their call for the Peace and Security Council to address this issue as a matter of urgency. In addition, Namibia joins the international community in calling for the immediate and unconditional release of president Alpha Condé, and the return to constitutional order.” 

Guinean special forces seized power in a coup and arrested the president, while promising to change the political makeup of the poverty-stricken West African nation.