Guinea ? President Lansana Conte declared a state of emergency Monday in Guinea, saying he had ordered the army to “take all necessary measures” to restore order after three days of violent protests. At least 27 people have been killed.

Amid the rioting and clashes with security forces, the West African country’s major trade unions called for Conte to step down after his apparent violation of a power-sharing agreement.

Conte announced in a television broadcast that he had ordered the army to “protect the people of Guinea from the risk of a civil war.”

The violence started Saturday following Conte’s appointment of a close ally from his Cabinet as prime minister. The move angered many who said he sidestepped a power-sharing agreement by naming a confidant, and angry youths took to the streets, throwing stones and burning tires.