Guinea's political class reacts to postponement of double ballot

Campaign poster on a street in Conakry, Guinea, February 26, 2020. JOHN WESSELS / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

In Guinea, President Alpha Condé took the political class by surprise by announcing, on Friday, February 28, a two-week postponement of the legislative elections and the referendum on the new Constitution. In the aftermath of this speech, the political class reacted in a different way to this postponement.

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The two elections are contested by the political opposition and civil society, who believe that this reform, if adopted, would pave the way for a possible third term for the president at the end of the year.

The RPG, party of the president, relativizes the postponement of two weeks of the two polls: " If this brings us more understanding within the political class, so much the better, " says Amadou Damaro Camara, president of the presidential movement in the Assembly .

At the UFDG, the main opposition party, we first denounce the tone of the president's speech which is perceived as being " martial " and only addressed to his militants. Basically, " analyzing the file is fundamental, but it takes much longer. A fortnight is not enough , ”warns Fodé Oussou Fofana, head of the UFDG. The party is calling for foreign expertise to carry out this operation.

For its part, the FNDC remains vigilant: “ The heart of the problem is not resolved. We are contesting the continuation of the referendum on a new Constitution, ”said Ibrahima Diallo, in charge of operations at the FNDC. This collective of civil society and the opposition intends to organize a large demonstration, in protest, next week.

There is not a call for peace, there is not a call for dialogue, there is nothing in relation to what is happening inside. It is above all his image outside that preoccupies him, and it is this image that he wants to restore. Even the ECOWAS, in their press release, even the OIF asked that there be a consensus ... a consensus file. The consensus is between opposition and power. But Mr. Alpha Condé doesn't want that ...

Cellou Dalein Diallo reacts to the postponement of the elections

► Also read: "Guinea: the double ballot is postponed, announces President Alpha Condé"

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