Guinea’s junta leader, Col. Mamady Doumbouya has recalled 34 ambassadors, in his first changes within the foreign and diplomatic sector since assuming power.

The announcement was made on Thursday on state television, citing a presidential decree. Among the diplomats recalled are the ambassadors to Sierra Leone, Tidiane Condé, Liberia, Elhadj Abdoulaye Doré and Cote d’Ivoire, Abdourahmane Seinkoun Camara.

Other countries affected include Morocco, Cuba, United Kingdom, France, United Nations, and United States. No reason was provided for the decision, and no replacement was immediately announced for those recalled.

But the statement ordered the Minister of Foreign Affairs to take the necessary measures to ensure the functioning of the missions through chargé d’affaires, pending the appointment of new ambassadors and heads of mission.

Doumbouya, who led a group of special forces soldiers to oust former President Alpha Conde on September 5, 2021, has promised to transition the country to civilian rule, although he hasn’t provided any clear timetable. He has been making changes in terms of appointments to key government position.

This is the first time the changes have affected the diplomatic sector. Analysts say this is part of junta’s way of ridding the administration off loyalists of the Conde regime.