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Latest update: 17/11/2010
- elections - Guinea Conakry
Guinea declares state of emergency amid post-election violence
Guinea's interim president, General Konate, has declared a nationwide state of emergency after three people were killed and dozens injured in post-election violence. The decree remains in place until final presidential election results are released.
AP - Guinea’s military on Wednesday declared a state of emergency following violence after a tense presidential election.
Armed forces chief Nouhou Thiam read the decree Wednesday on state television. The decree prohibits civilians from circulating on the streets, he said, but did not give further details. Only military and security forces will have unrestricted movement, he said.
Mohamed Kaffe, spokesman for Gen. Sekouba Konate who has served as Guinea’s interim president, said a state of emergency prohibits any gatherings of people, such as rallies. He said Guineans are allowed to go to work and to the market, but must travel alone and not move in groups.
Kaffe said under the state of emergency, the army is deployed across the country to enforce the decree.
The decree will hold until the Supreme Court declares final results from the Nov. 7 poll. They have eight days to do so after results were announced late Monday, allowing a decision by next week.
Presidential candidate Alpha Conde, a Malinke, was declared winner in the runoff, prompting Peul supporters of his opponent Cellou Dalein Diallo to riot. They burned tires, barricaded roads and destroyed the homes and businesses of Malinke neighbors.
On Wednesday, some members of Guinea’s Malinke ethnic group said they armed themselves for possible clashes with their Peul neighbors. Groups of men lining the road from the capital Conakry to the downtrodden suburbs shouted to cars passing by, shaking sticks, guns and machetes.
“We are here to protect ourselves. We have knives ... and sticks,” said Mohamed Camara, who is Malinke.
The mostly Malinke security force in Guinea has taken over troubled neighborhoods which now look like ghost towns. Bullet casings and the smoldering, burned tires litter the road. Few residents venture outside. Reports of police brutality against Peul citizens are multiplying and at least four people have been killed and 62 injured since results were announced Monday night.
Gunshots continued Wednesday and hospitals reported more wounded people were arriving.
Observers fear that if the violence in Guinea gets out of hand, it could spill over and destabilize its fragile neighbors.
The ethnic tension has already sparked clashes in neighboring Sierra Leone, where police said Wednesday that Peul and Malinke members had clashed a day earlier. Assistant Inspector General of Police Sorie Kargbo said 20 people were arrested in Sierra Leone’s town of Kenema for rioting. He said the dispute was between Peul and Malinke.
Guinea borders Sierra Leone and Liberia, nations recovering from wars fueled by ethnic divisions. For decades Guinea was a counterpoint to these two nations, with Peul and Malinke not only living side-by-side but also frequently intermarrying.
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Comments (3)
Advice
My brothers and sisters in the repulic of Guinea please give democracy a chance,stop the voilence and think for your childrens future. we are one people,one country
Remark
hello to all,
I just want to tell the fullanis to be very carful if the want to commite their future in guinea,cause people are watching them from all around the world. what has happen is very difficult to believe it but that's politic, u know how it starting but not how end. President Conte ve been treated badly for decate but i think he waited for his moment for so long and here come his time he deserve it. As for Mr Daline Jalloh i think he cant control his people and that is the more important key of been a leader, if u can control them u loose all. keep trying is not the end of it! God bless Guinea and the people of Guinea. Amine
Unbelievable
Who ever wrote this article is a great journalist because he or she is very objective .The truth problem of Guinea is the lack of justice legal.The people who suppose to protect their citizens are the one kill , steal and rape their own citizens.Konate is worse than Dadis because never in the history of Guinea Fulani and other have fight each other.I really hate to be from a country where there is no justice and freedom .
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