Guinea Declares State of Emergency

By eric sande

Guinea's interim president General Sekouba Konate has declared a state of emergency as sporadic violence and unrest continues following the earlier announcement of results of the country's presidential election.This is to be until the release of the final presidential election results by the supreme court.

Spokesman Major Mohamed Kasse reading the decree on national television said "The president of the republic decrees a state of emergency throughout the country as of today November 17 until the proclamation of definitive presidential election results by the Supreme Court.”

The death toll currently stands at seven who were killed in the bloody violence that erupted at the capital Conakry following the announcement of provisional results on Monday November 15. Nearly more than 70 people are admitted at local hospitals since the start of the chaos.

Mr Alpha Conde opposition leader received 1.47 million votes in the country's 28 districts which is 52.5 per cent of the total votes casted, against 1.3 million votes, or 47.5 per cent, for Mr Cellou Dalein Diallo, according to the electoral commission.

It is reported that the turmoil was ignited when supporters of Guinean presidential candidate Diallo who was the runners up in the just concluded election went into a battle field with security personnel claiming to be protesting over a stolen election.

The losing candidate Diallo, a Fulani, is challenging the results, citing massive voter fraud.

The court was given eight days to confirm the winner of the election after the results were announced on Monday which is stipulated in the country's electoral law.

It is said before the run-off both Mr Diallo and Mr Conde from two different ethnic groups, initially promised to include each other in government.