Guinea: February 16 legislative elections rescheduled for March 1 /update 2

Event

Guinean President Alpha Condé issued a decree announcing that the legislative elections initially scheduled on Sunday, February 16, will now be held on Sunday, March 1. According to a government source, the elections have been postponed for technical reasons.

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 call on their supporters to boycott the election.

Political events are to be expected over the coming weeks, particularly in Conakry and other major cities. A heightened security presence and localized transportation disruptions are to be anticipated near all associated 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, 2019.

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.