Guinea: General strike in Conakry February 26 /update 11

Event

Opposition parties have called for a general strike to take place in the capital Conakry on Monday, February 26, to denounce the results of local elections that took place on February 4. As such, business and transportation disruptions are possible. The opposition has also announced plans to hold nationwide protests in the coming days, although no details are currently available. 

Context

Opposition members claim that massive electoral fraud was carried out by the ruling party during the February 4 elections.

The local elections were a victory for President Alpha Conde's Rally of the Guinean People (RPG) - which won the majority of votes - 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 the capital Conakry, a major blow given that the city is home to almost a quarter of the country’s population.

Advice

Individuals in Guinea, particularly 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.