The government of President Alpha Conde of Guinea has been toppled hours after heavy gunfire near the presidential palace in Conakry, the capital.
A Guinean army colonel announced the development on Sunday on state television.
Soldiers are reportedly patrolling the deserted streets of the central Kaloum district as residents scamper to safety.
A viral video also showed Conde being asked by one of the special forces if he had been brutalised but the president did not respond.
Condé was re-elected for a third term in office amid violent protests in October 2020.
The president won the controversial election after changing the constitution to allow him to serve another term in office despite violent protests from the opposition.
Conde’s decision to run for a third term had sparked repeated protests that resulted in the death of dozens of people.