Senegal: Guinean nationals to stage protests in Dakar on October 28 and 30

Event

Guinean diaspora groups in Senegal have called for a series of protests in Dakar on Wednesday, October 28, and Friday, October 30, over the re-election of Guinean President Alpha Conde for a controversial third term in office. Demonstrations on both days are scheduled to begin at the Place de l'Obelisque in the Grand Dakar commune at around 16:00 (local time) before a march to the Rond Point de la RTS in the Dakar-Plateau.

The demonstrations come following several protests by members of the Guinean diaspora outside the Guinean embassy in Dakar over the last week, with demonstrators having clashed with police in the area on Wednesday, October 21, who used tear gas to disperse the crowd. The unrest at the embassy prompted local officials in Dakar to issue warning against further protests by the Guinean community in the city, but opposition activists have continued to plan anti-Conde demonstrations.

Localized disruptions and unrest are likely in the vicinity of the protests on Wednesday and Friday, with a strong police presence expected along the planned march route.

Context

Conde, 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 Conde prompted months of protests across Guinea, with opposition groups claiming that at least 90 people had been killed in protests during the election campaign.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (Céni) declared Conde 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 Dakar are advised to monitor developments regarding the protests, avoid all protests and political gatherings due to the risk of disruptions and unrest, and heed any directives issued by local authorities.