In an exclusive interview with France 24 and RFI from Conakry, the President of the Republic of Guinea, Alpha Condé, affirms that he is not violating the Constitution by running for a third term on October 18.
The reform of the Constitution, which paved the way for this third term, "was submitted to a referendum, everyone was consulted", he recalls.
"It is not about having a presidency for life."
The outgoing head of state ensures that the election on October 18 will be transparent and affirms that he will accept the verdict of the polls.
"I am a democrat", he declares on our antennas.
“I fought for 45 years. My opponents are civil servants who became Prime Ministers after bringing the country to the ground. […] It is extraordinary that I, who fought for 45 years, am considered as a anti-democratic dictator! "
Alpha Condé categorically denies having called his supporters to violence, assuring that it is "Fake news".
He adds that one of his opponents - whom he refuses to name - planned to proclaim his victory, then take refuge in an embassy for fear of post-election violence.
>> To read: "The Guinean opponent Cellou Dalein Diallo launches into the presidential race"
The Guinean president fiercely denies playing the ethnic card, stressing that he has always reached out to the Peuls.
"I have never held an ethnic speech," he says.
"We know that there are people who exploit" this question.
He also assures that he does not fear a "Malian scenario", while his counterpart Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta was forced to resign in August, following a military coup.
Asked about Amnesty International's recent report, which accuses the security forces of having killed at least 50 demonstrators since last year, he accuses the NGO of having carried out "an investigation into the matter".
“I don't take Amnesty International seriously,” he said.
Finally, he also affirms that the trial of those accused of the massacre at the Conakry stadium of September 28, 2009, will be held soon and that a "building is being constructed" for this purpose.
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