Guinea: Unrest possible ahead of January 2019 legislative elections /update 12

Event

Tensions remain high between the Guinean government and opposition groups led by the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG) in the lead-up to the January 2019 legislative elections. In recent unrest, security forces killed two people during political demonstrations in Conakry on Wednesday, November 7, bringing the total number of deaths linked to election-related unrest in 2018 to 21 people. Protests and violent clashes remain likely in Guinea, and in particular Conakry, through January 2019 when legislative elections are set to take place.

Context

Legislative elections are set to be held in January 2019, although the government has not proposed a date. The previous legislative elections in 2013 were held after several postponements dating back to 2007.

Opposition parties resumed demonstrations in late-October as newly elected officials had yet to be sworn in since their electoral victories in February. President Alpha Condé's Rally of the Guinean People (RPG) won the majority of the votes in the February local elections, followed in the vote count by former Prime Minister Diallo's UFDG party, 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 Guinea 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.