No official reason was given for the sweeping changes, announced by state TV on Sunday, which followed the appointment of a new prime minister, Ibrahima Kassory Fofana. The changes came amid heightened political tensions and speculation that Condé may be seeking to modify the constitution ahead of a 2020 election.

Guinea is Africa’s leading producer of bauxite, the ore of aluminium, and Condé’s government has faced repeated strikes by mine workers as well as teachers, and has also seen civil unrest over local elections. It has also suffered embarrassment over allegations by French authorities that billionaire tycoon Vincent Bolloré’s conglomerate backed Condé’s election campaign in exchange for a port concession. Both Bolloré and Condé deny any wrongdoing.

In his reshuffle, Condé replaced 13 out of 33 ministers in his government. Finance Minister Maladho Kaba was fired and replaced by Mamady Camara, Guinea’s former ambassador to South Africa. Her deputy, Budget Minister Mohamed Lamine Doumbouya, was replaced by former central bank official Ismaël Dioubaté.

Security Minister Abdoul Kabele Camara, in place since Condé’s election victory in 2010, was replaced by Alpha Ibrahima Keira, a loyalist from the regime of dictator Lansana Conté, who died in 2008.

As well as bauxite, Guinea has some of the world’s largest deposits of iron ore, but decades of mining have failed to lift most Guineans out of poverty.

About 10 people were killed in February and March when riots erupted in the capital Conakry and other cities following local elections, which the opposition said were marred by fraud.

Condé’s opponents also fear he seeks to modify the constitution to stand for a third term in 2020. Condé has not yet commented on his intentions, but speculation over them has had a destabilising effect.