A complete of 21 folks have been killed in unrest in Guinea after a controversial presidential election final week, state tv reported on Monday as worldwide envoys tried to ease tensions within the West African nation.
The RTG state information channel mentioned 21 folks had been killed since Oct. 19, together with safety forces officers – six fewer than figures compiled by the opposition, which claims 27 have died.
President Alpha Conde, 82, received a extremely contested election on October 18, based on official outcomes introduced Saturday, setting the stage for a controversial third time period.
However his foremost opponent Cellou Dalein Diallo, 68, disputes the outcomes. He claimed victory final week, citing information collected by his activists at particular person polling stations.
Diallo’s self-proclaimed victory led to a week-long conflict between supporters and safety forces throughout the nation.
The federal government had beforehand set the dying toll at 10.
A diplomatic delegation from the United Nations, the African Union and the 15-nation financial group of West African states landed in Guinea on Sunday within the wake of the unrest.
The envoys – which embody ECOWAS Fee President Jean-Claude Kassi Brou and the UN Particular Consultant in West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas – met with a number of ministers and authorities officers on Monday.
An ECOWAS official in Conakry mentioned in addition they spoke with representatives of Guinea’s election fee and overseas diplomats.
Diallo instructed AFP that the envoys additionally met him at his Conakry dwelling, which police have been blocking for a number of days.
Anti-Conde protests have been to renew within the metropolis early Monday, and plenty of outlets remained closed, however few folks ended up hitting the streets finally.
“In my neighborhood, folks say they’re ready to see the end result of the joint mission,” mentioned a suburb who refused to be named.
Scars from the riots have been evident within the Conakry district of Wanindara – an opposition citadel – with burnt-out autos mendacity on the roads.
Mohamed Saliou Camara, whose home was burned, mentioned Conde and Diallo supporters had clashes within the space.
A lot of the turbulence revolves round a 3rd interval for Alpha Conde, which opponents accuse of getting pushed into authoritarianism.
He pushed by means of a brand new structure in March, which he claimed would modernize the nation. However it additionally allowed him to avoid a two-term restrict for presidents.
(AFP)
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