Tensions in Guinea mount despite call to maintain restraint

(3 minutes read)

• It seems there is no respite from unrest in Guinea following the first phase of Demonstrations were erupted after President Alpha Cond’e ran for a third term in the office circumventing the constitutional limitations.

• In a referendum with regard to constitutional amendments, Cond’e could get them approved including lifting the ceiling on the number of terms for the presidency election

• In a referendum with regard to constitutional amendments, Cond’e could get them approved including lifting the ceiling on the number of terms for the presidency

It seems there is no respite from unrest in Guinea following the first phase of election in which nine people, including one police officer, have died. The security ministry of the West African country said that shootings and stabbings in the capital Conakry and elsewhere in the country were reported.

The statement issued by the ministry maintained that the strategy of chaos was orchestrated to jeopardize the elections held on October 18, adding that that many people were injured and property damaged. There are reports from various hospitals and clinics about bringing dead bodies and injured people to them.

Read more: http://trendsnafrica.com/2020/10/22/guinean-president-alpha-conde-in-lead-in-three-districts-opposition-disputes-the-claim/

Demonstrations were erupted after President Alpha Cond’e ran for a third term in the office circumventing the constitutional limitations. In a referendum with regard to constitutional amendments, Cond’e could get them approved including lifting the ceiling on the number of terms for the presidency. While Cond’e maintains that changes are needed to give a boost to the sliding Guinean economy, the opposition parties led by Cellou Dalein Diallo said that it was stage managed to get another term for Cond’e. Ever since demonstrations were rampant nation-wide dubbing the electoral process as unconstitutional.

Read more: http://trendsnafrica.com/2020/10/19/guinean-polls-first-phase-over-under-severe-tension/

Opposition supporters are deeply suspicious about the fairness of the 18 October poll. However the Guinean government, African Union and ECOWAS insist that the lections were fair and transparent. They also maintain that any disputes regarding the election should be settled in a court of law and not on street.