10 Mar 2018 | 05:16 AM UTC
Guinea: General strike and protests in Conakry March 12 and 14
Opposition parties call for a general strike in Conakry on March 12; protests also scheduled to take place nationwide March 14
Event
Opposition parties have called for a general strike to take place in the capital Conakry on Monday, March 12, to denounce the results of local elections that took place in February. Business and transportation disruptions are likely throughout the city. The opposition has also announced plans to hold nationwide protests on Wednesday, March 14.
Increased security measures and localized transportation disruptions are anticipated in the vicinity of any protests.
Context
Opposition members claim that massive electoral fraud was carried out by the ruling party during the February 4 local elections. The 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).
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.