Guinea: Campaigning begins for legislative elections January 16 /update 1

Event

The official campaign season for the upcoming February 16 legislative elections began on Thursday, January 16. Candidates will be allowed to campaign until Friday, February 14, according to a presidential decree issued on state television. Leaders from main opposition parties, the Union of Democratic Forces in Guinea (UFDG) and the Union of Republican Forces (UFR), announced that they will continue to boycott the election. Cellou Dalein Diallo, the leader of the UFDG, claims that the elections are being used by President Alpha Condé to secure a parliamentary majority for his party in order to pass constitutional amendments to allow him to run for a third term.

An increase in political events are expected over the coming weeks, particularly in the capital Conakry and other major cities. A heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions are to be anticipated near all election related events.

Context

Opposition members allege that President Condé, who has been in power since 2010, is positioning himself to change the constitution in order to allow him to run for a third presidential term in late 2020. President Condé publicly called for a constitutional referendum on December 19.

Advice

Individuals in Guinea are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments.