Guinea: Deadly clashes in Conakry Feb. 26 /update 12

Event

Violent clashes erupted in the Hamdallaye district of the capital  Conakry on Monday, February 26, amid a general strike. At least one person was killed and several others injured during skirmishes with security forces. The opposition has announced plans to hold nationwide protests in the coming days, although no details are currently available. Furthermore, police used tear gas to disperse youths gathered to denounce the simultaneous ongoing teachers strike.

Opposition parties had called for the February 26 strike to denounce the results of local elections that took place on February 4. Businesses and government officers were closed and transportation disruptions were reported.

Context

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

These local elections were a victory for President Alpha Conde's Rally of the Guinean People (RPG) - which won the majority of votes - followed 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.

The Syndicat Libre des Enseignants et Chercheurs de Guinée (SLECG) education union launched an indefinite strike on February 12, leading to the closure of a number of schools.

Advice

Individuals in Guinea, particularly 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.