On Wednesday, Diallo supporters clashed with the police amid celebrations. This was after the electoral commission declared Diallo’s victory premature and void. The police inspector, therefore, deployed forces to halt the celebrations. The events turned sour when Diallo’s supporters took to protest in the street to defend the opposition leader. The police started throwing teargas canisters at the demonstrators who were now barricading roads and burning tires.
The Wrath of the Police
Since the onset of October, police have killed a lot of people during the protests against incumbent President Alpha Conde. Several youngsters lost their lives during the latest strike. According to Kabinet Cisse, the chief of the electoral commission, Alpha Conde was the winner of the first round of the elections. He said that out of the 38 voting districts, Conde had shown a strong lead in four districts. In three of the districts, Conde was leading with over 50%. The latter is a requirement to prevent runoff vote.
Controversies
Fode Oussou Fofana, Diallo’s campaign director, alleged that the official results were false. He stated that President Conde jeopardized the ballot box results in his favor. Conde, who is 82 years, has triggered unrest in Guinea since he announced his plan to vie for a third term. The President hasn’t been on good terms with most people. As such many have condemned his government and demanded his resignation.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Diallo tweeted that the police had trapped him inside his home. He said that armed forces had surrounded his abode, restricting his movement.
Diallo’s move to declare himself the winner of first-round elections received criticism from the rights group, Alpa Conde, UN, and other politicians. On Monday ECOWAS called the release premature and regrettable.
“This state of affairs is not conducive to preserving calm,” the statement said.
Ousmane Gaoual Diallo, the head of communications for Diallo’s UFDG party said on Tuesday that the analysis they collected from the polling stations showed they won. While the electoral commission reflected different polls from the polling stations. He feels Conde might have been responsible for rigging the votes.
The state government believes that the opposition intended to make people doubt the official result. Probably that’s why the opposition declared his victor in advance. Human Rights Group, therefore, see Diallo as an inciter in the country. They feel he is responsible for the current protests in the country.
Second Round
Observers from ECOWAS and United Nations said that the Sunday elections were peaceful and transparent. They dismissed Diallo’s claims of the possibility of fraud. Ethnic differences are currently playing a basis in determining the next president. This is because the people are basing their votes on their tribes.
With the majority being the Malinke community, Alpha Conde might find his way back in power. His main opposition Diallo belongs to the Fulani community who are a minority. Although Diallo is still hopeful as he has made some allies during the campaigns. The electoral commission has scheduled the second round of voting for 24th November.
Needless, tensions in guinea have surged as everyone is hoping for the best.
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