Guinea: Protests in Conakry October 29-November 1 /update 7

Event

Female supporters of the political opposition are planning to stage a protest in the capital Conakry on Thursday, November 1, to denounce violence that occurred during previous opposition protests held October 15-16 and October 23, in which two protesters were killed. This is in addition to a ville morte ("dead city") general strike scheduled to take place on October 29 in the capital, as well as protest marches in cities across the country on October 30. A heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions are to be expected near protest sites; clashes between security forces and demonstrators cannot be ruled out.

Furthermore, the situation remains tense in Kindia (Kindia region; east) as of October 29 following the swearing-in of local authorities chosen in contested elections, which led to clashes between rival political groups and resulted in the death of one opposition supporter. Shops remain closed and business activities suspended.

Context

Several opposition protesters have been held since mid-October to denounce the government of President Alpha Condé and the fact that officials elected in controversial local elections held February 4 have not yet been sworn in. In Kindia, pro-government supporters are denouncing the results of these elections, in which opposition candidates were victorious.

Condé's Rally of the Guinean People (RPG) won the majority of the votes in the February local elections, 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). Although the RPG dominated nationwide, the party lost control of the municipal government of Conakry, a major blow given that the city is home to almost a quarter of the country's population. 

Advice

Individuals 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 and their home governments.