CONAKRY, (Reuters) – Guinean President Alpha Conde escaped a sustained rocket and gunfire attack by unknown assailants on his residence today that killed one person and left his home riddled with bullet holes.
It was not clear who was behind the attack on Conde, who came to power last December in an election aimed at drawing a line under decades of coups in the West African nation where iron and bauxite resources have attracted world mining majors.
A presidential source said the attack was clearly a failed assassination attempt targeting the president, who rushed to the headquarters of the state broadcaster to appeal for calm.
“Our enemies will not be able to stop Guinea’s progress,” Conde said in a statement witnessed by a Reuters reporter as it was recorded.
“I appeal to you to stay calm … Let the army and the security services do their work,” said the 73-year-old Conde, who was dressed in a traditional African robe and gave no sign of having been harmed.
The message was due to be aired later on state radio and television.
Eyewitnesses said the attack took place at Conde’s personal residence in the Kipe suburb of the capital Conakry in the small hours of Tuesday and lasted for nearly two hours before it was repelled by Conde’s personal guard.
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