Guinea declares state of emergency

  1. Posted on Thursday 18 November 2010 - 11:01
    Samuel
    Image of Samuel
    Samuel Okocha, AfricaNews reporter in Lagos, Nigeria
    The military government in Guinea declared a state of emergency and imposed an overnight curfew following violence that trailed the announcement of results of the country's first democratic vote.
    Guinea election hopeful Conde cancels peace tour with rival
    "In the interests of keeping peace, calm and national unity, a state of emergency has been declared, effective immediately, until the final confirmation of the results ... by the Supreme Court," Reuters quoted army chief Nouhou Thiam as saying on state television.

    According to the BBC, at least seven people are reported to have been killed in clashes between security forces and opposition supporters since provisional results of the presidential run-off were announced on Monday. A human rights group told Reuters it counted at least 10 people killed with over 200 others wounded.

    Following the declaration of a state of emergency by Guinea’s government, the Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS] called on supporters of President-elect Alpha Conde and challenger Cellou Dalein Diallo to avoid engaging in violence that could destabilize the country.

    “It’s important for all the parties in Guinea, particularly the two parties that went for the run-off to keep their supporters under check. They have the greater responsibility to maintain peace and security in that country. It is only under that kind of atmosphere, of course, that you can talk about democracy, which is what we have been anxious to return to that country,” communications director for ECOWAS, Sonny Ugoh told VOA.

    Long time opposition leader won the November election with 52.5 percent of the votes, against 47.48% for Cellou Diallo. Diallo, claimed there were cases of electoral fraud, while Alpha Conde declared his intension to have an all inclusive government based on a process of national reconciliation.

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