Residents said they saw truckloads of helmeted troops in camouflage fatigues heading out of the seaside capital Conakry. Other major towns, such as Kankan and Nzerekore in the east, were also reported to be under tight military control.
Dictator Conte went on state TV and radio on Monday night to announce the military crackdown, which will last until Feb. 23. It was aimed at quelling a wave of riots and looting across the country that accompanied the relaunch by unions on Monday of a general strike opposing the president's 23-year rule.
The measures also forbid all public meetings and empower the military to censor newspapers and all radio and television broadcasts. The army can also monitor private communications, such as telephone calls, faxes and emails. More on REUTERS and on Guinee News (in French)
More about the Pre-Colonial History and Post-Colonial History here
In 2001 Russia signed military and other agreements with Guinea, reaffirming bonds with former Soviet allies in West Africa.
Guinean President Lansana Conte and President Vladimir Putin signed a wide-ranging declaration of friendship and partnership, covering issues from arms to aluminum. Moscow Times