Guinea bishop appeals for
peace on eve of elections
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| Guineans in Conakry walk in front of posters advertising the Referendum (AFP) |
The Archbishop of Conakry exhorts the people and the
political authorities of the Republic of Guinea put an end to "useless
conflicts" as the country heads to the polls.
By Linda Bordoni
On Sunday, 1 March, citizens of the Republic of Guinea are
called to cast their ballots in a double round of elections: a parliamentary
vote and a referendum on the reform of the Constitution.
The referendum aims to remove the limit of two presidential
terms for the Head of State, thus opening the possibility of a third nomination
for President Alpha Condé.
In the run-up to the vote, widespread demonstrations against
the new Constitution have turned violent with security forces using tear gas,
riot gear and even firearms against protesters. More than 30 people have been
killed and dozens injured.
The National Front for the Defense of the Constitution made
up of opposition parties, trade unions and members of civil society has asked
the people to boycott the Referendum and called for new demonstrations on
February 27.
The Catholic Church
The Catholic Church meanwhile has been increasingly vocal in
calling for calm and dialogue.
On the Sunday preceding the vote, Archbishop Vincent
Coulibaly of Conakry, invited all actors in society to nurture
dialogue and prevent Guinea from "sinking into fruitless
confrontations."
Speaking on the closing day of a Diocesan Youth Day
celebration, he said, "We cannot overlook the role of young people,
because of their numerical importance, their vulnerability in situations of
conflict, their fragility, and permeability to violent rhetoric."
He exhorted the faithful, all men and women of goodwill and
the institutions to pursue peaceful confrontation, putting an end to
"useless conflicts."
Socio-political situation
Alpha Condé became Guinea's first democratically elected
leader in 2010, but his critics accuse him of becoming increasingly
authoritarian and of wanting to use a constitution change to run for a third
term. He claims the 2010 Constitution needs modernising.
The West African nation is rich with natural resources
including the world's largest bauxite reserves, gold, diamond, and iron ore.
But investments have stalled due to political instability and a lack of
infrastructure and most of its 13 million people live in poverty.
A group of international observers who had been due to
monitor Sunday's vote has questioned the credibility of the vote and suspended
its support of the ballot.
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