- Title: GUINEA: Election is test for Africa's "coup belt"
- Date: 26th June 2010
- Summary: CONAKRY, GUINEA (JUNE 24, 2010) (REUTERS) BIG POSTER OF ELECTORAL CARD IN FRENCH READING "YOUR ELECTORAL CARD IS YOUR PERMISSION TO VOTE, GUARD IT PRECIOUSLY" BIG POSTER OF ELECTION 2010 IN FRENCH READING "VOTE FOR THEM WITH CALM AND SERENITY" VARIOUS OF TEMINETAYE SHANTY TOWN VARIOUS OF BIG POSTER OF ALPHA CONDE (RPG ) ( RASSEMBLEMENT DU PEUPLE DE GUINEE ) (SOUNDBITE) (French) MOUSSA DRAME, FISHERMAN, SAYING: "I will vote for a citizen who could help Guinea, not to cheat Guineans. We are poor, we want someone who can help Guinea, we don't want lies, we don't want someone who takes advantage of our country to enrich themselves. That's over with, we want truth." STREET SCENE IN THE MEDINA MARKET BIG POSTER OF FRANCOIS LOUNCENY FALL, FORMER PRIME MINISTER AND LEADER OF FUDEC PARTY (FRONT UNI POUR LA DEMOCRATIE ET LE CHANGEMENT) BIG POSTER OF FORMER JUNTA LEADER DADIS CAMARA, BURKINA FASO PRESIDENT BLAISE COMPAORE AND GUINEA'S LEADER GENERAL SEKOUBA KONATE BIG POSTER OF GENERAL SEKOUBA KONATE (SOUNDBITE) (French) THIERNO HAMIDOU SOW, JOURNALIST FROM GUINEA NEWS WEBSITE, SAYING "Dadis (Camara - former junta leader) is in Ouaga, disqualified, the interim president, general Sekouba Konate says he's not a candidate, none of the members of government are candidates, I think that these are truly free and democratic elections but oh well.. We'll see, we'll see if these elections are transparent, but up until this moment we can say they are democratic elections." VARIOUS OF CELLOU DALEIN DIALLO SUPPORTERS DANCING AND CHANTING DIALLO POSTERS CARRIED BY A SUPPORTER VARIOUS OF SECURITY POLICEMEN IN STREET (SOUNDBITE) (French) SEKOU KONDE, CIVIL SERVANT, SAYING "I think it's the political leaders' duty to discipline their supporters so that this process can take place in good conditions." CONAKRY, GUINEA (JUNE 23, 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SIDYA TOURE SUPPORTERS CHANTING IN A TRUCK TOURE SUPPORTERS CARRYING BANNER TOURE BIG POSTER AT RALLY TOURE ARRIVING AT RALLY TAKING PLACE AT PEOPLE'S PALACE VARIOUS OF TOURE DURING RALLY
- Embargoed: 11th July 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Guinea
- Country: Guinea
- Topics: Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA6MJJTNJYH617TFB1722RH71LS
- Story Text: Guinea will go to the polls to elect a new president on Sunday (June 27) in a vote aimed at drawing a line under its troubled past and which could encourage efforts to bolster democracy throughout West Africa.
Guineans, voting in what may emerge as the first genuinely free and fair poll since independence from France in 1958 gave way to one-party or military rule, want a government that can wrench the country out of poverty and improve basic infrastructures.
So far the pre-election rallies have largely been calm, with the exeption of 20 people being injured as supporters of different candidates hurled stones at each other in the village of Coyah on Thursday (June 24).
Investors in the world's top exporter of the aluminium ore bauxite and a major venue for iron ore explorers crave stability after the 2008 death of strongman ruler Lansana Conte ushered in a junta and unrest that many feared could have sparked a civil war.
The feeling is echoed by Guineans, who say enough is enough.
"I will vote for a citizen who could help Guinea, not to cheat Guineans. We are poor, we want someone who can help Guinea, we don't want lies, we don't want someone who takes advantage of our country to enrich themselves. That's over with, we want truth," said fisherman Moussa Drame.
A smooth vote would also bring relief to neighbours such as Liberia and Senegal, ever fearful of an influx of Guinean refugees, and could counter a trend of delayed and disputed votes or military putsches in Africa's "coup belt".
The past 18 months have been a white-knuckle ride in Guinea. Opposition to former junta leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara culminated in the Sept. 28, 2009 massacre by his security forces of 150 pro-democracy marchers and gang rapes of dozens of women.
Weeks later, Camara was shot in the head by a former aide. He remains in convalescence in Burkina Faso, a pariah figure kept at arm's length from Guinean politics while his deputy, Sekouba Konate, organises the return to civilian rule.
"Dadis (Camara) is in Ouaga, disqualified, the interim president, general Sekouba Konate says he's not a candidate, none of the members of government are candidates, I think that these are truly free and democratic elections but oh well.. We'll see, we'll see if these elections are transparent, but up until this moment we can say they are democratic elections." said journalist Thierno Hamidou Sow.
West African desert state and uranium producer Niger is undergoing a transition from military to civilian rule after an army takeover in February. Its rulers have promised to quit power by early 2011, but have not yet named an election date.
And the signal would be clear to Ivory Coast, the world's top cocoa producer where polls have been delayed for five years by what analysts say is a mix of vested interests and inertia.
Most international observers agree there is a desire to conduct elections in peace but there is the threat that fired-up activists may cause trouble after results are announced.
"I think it's the political leaders' duty to discipline their supporters so that this process can take place in good conditions," civil servant Sekou Konde said.
Analysts suggest the most likely outcome is an indecisive first round with the two leading candidates going to a July 18 second round in which they will seek to broaden their voter appeal by promising top jobs for defeated rivals.
RPG leader Alpha Conde and Cellou Dalein Diallo of the UFDG are seen as the front runners. Both belong to sizeable ethnic groups -- Malinke and Peul respectively -- in a vote that may divide on ethnic lines. Sidya Toure, another leading contender, is from the Diakhanke minority.
Analysts suggest the most likely outcome is an indecisive first round with the two leading candidates going to a July 18 second round in which they will seek to broaden their voter appeal by promising top jobs for defeated rivals.
RPG leader Alpha Conde and Cellou Dalein Diallo of the UFDG are seen as the front runners. Both belong to sizeable ethnic groups -- Malinke and Peul respectively -- in a vote that may divide on ethnic lines. Sidya Toure, another leading contender, is from the Diakhanke minority.
Konate has given every indication that he wants to quit politics and take his troops with him, leaving an elected president who does not have to fear military intervention.
"All the countries in the world migrate towards civillian leadership. I think that our fight, it's the civilians who faught for this, it's the civilians who faught to make soldiers understand that truly, the time has come for the guinean population to freely choose their own president. It's not a president we can impose on it, but a president it must choose," Konde said.
Still, an army that has spent 18 months in power may expect some concessions from whomever wins the election, for example by demanding a "reform process" which in reality might involve expensive "golden handshakes" and other bonuses for top officers.
As far as ordinary Guineans are concerned, their request is simple.
"We want a president who can help the population, particularly young Guineans. We are suffering too much. Guinea is too rich for us not to have a president who can help youth find work, who can help us have electricity and everything," said Yarie Ghazaoui, a woman who feeds her family from selling fish. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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