Gunfire Erupts Near Presidential Palace in Guinea

On Thursday evening, gunfire erupted near the presidential palace in Guinea's capital, Conakry, leading to a military lockdown and evacuation of the city center. Witnesses reported chaos as people fled the area amidst heavy military presence. Guinea has been under military rule since a coup in 2021 that ousted President Alpha Conde, and the current leader, Col. Mamadi Doumbouya, has faced criticism for failing to fulfill promises and for dissolving the government earlier this year without explanation. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for a swift return to civilian governance, with elections planned for 2025. The motives behind the recent gunfire remain unclear, adding to the uncertainty in a region that has seen multiple military coups recently. Doumbouya's administration has distanced itself from Western powers in favor of security support from Russia.