Guinea faces pivotal moment as main opposition candidate declares himself winner of elections

Guinean opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo walks past supporters

Credit: AP 

Guinea’s main opposition candidate Cellou Dalein Diallo has declared himself the winner of October 18 presidential elections, raising fears of a stalemate and post-election violence in a country that has already seen a tense campaign season.

Diallo said the results were according to a tally by his UFDG party, although CENI, the electoral body has not announced a winner.

“Despite the serious anomalies that marred the smooth running of the October 18 election and in view of the results that came out of the ballot box, I came out victorious in this election in the first round,” Diallo tweeted on Monday evening.

His supporters, jubilating in the streets of Conakry, the capital city, clashed with security forces who opened fire on them and killed three, according to Diallo.  

CENI has distanced itself from the results. The government warned in a statement on Monday that Diallo could be arraigned on criminal charges for attempting to undermine peace in Guinea.

Supporters of Guinean opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo cheer

Credit: AP

Guinea is facing a pivotal moment in its history

Credit: AFP

Guinea is facing a pivotal moment in its history as the country waits for elections results to be announced and accepted without violence.

The West African country is rich in minerals and has the largest deposits of bauxite in the world but its development has been marred by military rule.

Incumbent President Alpha Conde, 82 is the first freely elected leader since independence. Running under the ruling RPG party, he seeks a third term that many call unconstitutional.

Dozens have died in anti-Conde protests since 2019 after Conde pushed in constitutional changes that reset his term limits. Diallo, a former prime minister, is the main challenger. Both faced each other twice in 2010 and 2015 elections.

Polls were calm on Sunday despite clashes in the lead-up days. ECOWAS, the regional bloc has called on all parties to remain calm. According to the electoral law, provisional results are announced 72 hours after polls close. 

Candidates need more than 50 per cent of the vote to be declared winner and have eight days to lodge appeals. A second round of voting will be held on 24 November if there’s no clear winner.