The United States said Tuesday it was suspending aid to Guinea as it renewed calls for a return to civilian rule and the holding of elections following a military coup in Conakry last month.
"The United States is suspending assistance to Guinea, with the exception of humanitarian aid and programs supporting the democratic process," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in a statement.
The State Department said on December 24 that Washington would suspend its aid to Guinea, some 15 million dollars this year, if coup leaders do not take steps to return civilian rule.
In Conakry, several generals forced into retirement after the December 22 coup have been arrested by the military junta and three of them were still in custody Tuesday, sources close to them said.
In his statement McCormack said "the United States remains concerned about the military coup in Guinea," which was carried out hours after the death of strong-arm ruler Lansana Conte.
"We support the efforts of the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to speed the transition to civilian rule," McCormack said.
ECOWAS announced it was meeting Friday to discuss events in Guinea. It has not formally suspended Guinea over the coup, but is expected to do so soon.
"We reiterate our call for a return to civilian rule and the holding of free, fair and transparent elections as soon as possible," he added.
"We note that at the time of President Conte's death, Guinea was preparing for legislative elections in early 2009," McCormack said.
