Guinea: Twenty-one fatalities reported nationwide in election-related unrest since October 18 election /update 8

Event

Guinean state news reported on Tuesday, October 27, that 21 are known to have been killed in election-related violence and unrest since the October 18 election in which President Alpha Conde won a controversial third term in office. The opposition, which has challenged the election results, has previously claimed that the death toll is higher, with as many as 30 people killed, although the figures were not independently verified. 

On Monday, October 26, the US Embassy in Conakry issued a demonstration alert for continued anti-government unrest in Conakry and throughout Guinea. The embassy warned that protests are expected to continue throughout the week. 

Further electoral-related unrest is expected across Guinea in the coming days. A heightened security presence is to be expected in the vicinity of any demonstration.

Context

Condé, who has been Guinea's president since 2010, pushed through a change in the constitution following a referendum in March that effectively reset the two-term limit in the constitution and allowed him to run as his party's candidate in the presidential election on October 18. The controversial move by Condé prompted months of protests across Guinea, with opposition groups claiming that at least 90 people had been killed in unrest during the election campaign.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (Céni) declared Condé the winner of the Guinean presidential election on Saturday, October 24, with a 59.94 percent majority in the first round. However, the official results have been challenged by opposition groups, including Condé's main challenger Cellou Dalein Diallo who had earlier claimed to be ahead during early vote counting, prompting clashes between his supporters and security forces in Conakry.

Advice

Those in Guinea are advised to monitor the situation, remain vigilant due to the threat of electoral-related violence, avoid the vicinity of political gatherings and electoral commission offices, avoid discussing politically sensitive topics in public or on social media, and heed all directives issued by local authorities.