ECOWAS suspends Guinea until democracy restored

By Felix Onuah

ABUJA (Reuters) - The West African regional bloc ECOWAS said on Saturday it was suspending Guinea until the military junta which seized power last month held elections and returned the world's top bauxite exporter to democratic rule.

The rebuke from Guinea's neighbours follows a similar move by the African Union, which suspended the former French colony last month, and calls by major donors including the United States and the European Union for elections as soon as possible.

"ECOWAS suspends Guinea from all meetings of ECOWAS at heads of state and ministerial levels until constitutional order is restored," ECOWAS Commission President Mohamed Ibn Chambas told a meeting of leaders of the 15-member regional body in Abuja.

But he said ECOWAS would maintain "a permanent and constructive dialogue" with the junta and other stakeholders in Guinea to ensure the quick organisation of democratic polls.

The National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD) -- a junta led by young army captain Moussa Dadis Camara -- seized power in Guinea on December 23 after the death of autocratic President Lansana Conte, who had ruled since 1984.

It has appointed a civilian transition government and promised elections in 2010.

But Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, who endorsed the coup leaders, has suggested polls could be held earlier, while French secretary of state for cooperation Alain Joyandet has said Camara had agreed to hold polls within 12 months.

Ibn Chambas said last month that the junta's original plan for elections in 2010 was "not acceptable" and that a two-year transition period was too long.