Guinea: Protests planned in Conakry October 15-16, October 18

Event

Members of the Guinean political opposition are planning to stage ville morte protests in Conakry on Monday, October 15, and Tuesday, October 16, as well as a protest march along the N1 (Fidel Castro) highway from the Tannerie roundabout to the Stade du 28 Septembre on Thursday, October 18. The protests are reportedly being organized to protest the government of President Alpha Condé and to denounce that officials elected in local elections on February 4 have not yet been placed into government office. Widespread business and transportation disruptions are to be expected in Conakry on Monday and Tuesday; a heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions are to be expected around the October 18 march route. Similar protests are possible in Conakry and other urban areas in the near-term.

Context

Opposition members have claimed that massive electoral fraud was carried out by the ruling party during the February local elections.

The local elections marked a victory for President Alpha Condé's Rally of the Guinean People (RPG) - which won the majority of votes - followed in the vote count by former Prime Minister Cellou Dalein Diallo's Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG) and a second opposition party, the Union of Republican Forces (UFR). Although the RPG dominated nationwide, the party lost control of the municipal government of the capital Conakry, a major blow given that the city is home to almost a quarter of the country's population.

Advice

Individuals in Conakry are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all demonstrations and protests due to the risk of violence, and adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.