Constitutional Court 1 Nov confirmed victory for incumbent President Alpha Condé in Oct polls, winning 57.84% of vote, followed by opposition Union for Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG) candidate Cellou Dalein Diallo with 31.45%. Diallo 4 Nov reiterated rejection of results, called for protests demanding release of his supporters arrested during campaign. Justice Minister Cheick Sako 5 Nov announced release of nine prisoners for ill health or innocence; 27 still detained. UN SRSG for West Africa Ibn Chambas 3 Nov urged President Condé to form “wide consensus” govt in interest of peace; Diallo mid-Nov stated refusal to join govt. UFDG defeat revived internal tensions between Diallo supporters and supporters of party’s VP Bah Oury.

Presidential elections held 11 Oct amid continued disputes over implementation of Aug agreement on electoral preparations. Electoral Commission 17 Oct announced incumbent President Condé won with almost 58%; main challenger Cellou Dalein Diallo secured 31%. Constitutional Court (CC) 31 Oct validated President Condé’s re-election. Sporadic violence before and after election left thirteen dead, but polls largely peaceful. Opposition criticised electoral process and denounced massive fraud; govt rejected all accusations. Most observation missions noted organisational problems but said issues do not invalidate vote; EU mission more cautious. Diallo 17 Oct said he would not appeal to CC, may eventually call for peaceful demonstrations. Three of eight presidential candidates 27 Oct filed appeals to CC protesting results.

Constitutional Court 1 Sept approved eight presidential candidates to run in 11 Oct election. Opposition 4 Sept continued to question govt willingness to implement late-Aug electoral preparations agreement after ruling Rally of the Guinean People (RPG) initially objected to opposition’s proposed electoral commission representative Hadja Ramatoulaye Bah; President Alpha Condé accepted nomination 13 Sept. Govt and opposition 14 Sept signed deal for redistribution of local authorities. UN Special Rep for W Africa Ibn Chambas 15 Sept announced “significant progress” made on electoral preparations. Campaigning began 10 Sept; incident reported of street violence with ethnic undertones 19 Sept between RPG supporters and opposition supporters in Koundara. Former junta leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara 21 Sept announced he would not take part in or support any candidate in elections.

Govt and opposition 20 Aug signed agreement to allow more opposition representation in local govt, reforms of National Electoral Commission (CENI) and upgrade of electoral roll, in attempt to ease political tensions ahead of Oct presidential polls. Opposition spokesperson 27 Aug expressed dismay at lack of implementation.

Dialogue between govt and opposition remained stalled: international partners 3 July proposed signing of interim agreement to take stock of points of accord already identified, following opposition’s 27 June withdrawal. Opposition rejected proposal, said it included agreements not yet discussed; opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo 9 July resumed calls for general street protests. Authorities 9 July indicted ex-junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara for complicity in massacre and other crimes committed by security forces in Sept 2009. Indictment comes amid concerns over announced Camara-Diallo alliance following late-June meeting. Electoral commission (CENI) 11 July presented voter roll for Oct presidential election: 900,000 new voters validated in country, 65,000 abroad; Kankan region, ruling party stronghold, showed highest number of new voters.

Voter roll update ended 8 June: opposition 1 June denounced alleged massive enrolment of minors in pro-govt strongholds, disruptions in opposition-held regions and abroad; electoral commission 12 June denied claims. Official dialogue over electoral preparations began 18 June after consultations led by justice minister during which govt agreed to international participation in dialogue. Govt and opposition 20 June agreed to drop schedule for local elections, originally planned for 1st quarter 2016; presidential election date of 11 Oct unchanged. Opposition 26 June pulled out of dialogue, both sides traded blame for failure of discussions. Opposition Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea leader Cellou Dalein Diallo and exiled ex-junta leader and presidential candidate Moussa Dadis Camara met 19 June, announced they would push parties in direction of political alliance.

Anti-govt demonstrations continued: dozens wounded and arrested, one protester killed 7 May. Political dialogue slow to resume: opposition maintained conditions authorities refused to accept including suspension of electoral commission’s operations and withdrawal of electoral schedule. President Condé and opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo met 20 May; after meeting Diallo expressed disappointment over lack of progress on electoral preparations. At Condé’s request, Justice Minister Cheik Sacko 26 May called on ruling party and opposition to open dialogue, proposed narrow agenda, with possibility to broaden it. Ex-junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara 5 May announced candidacy in next presidential election with Patriotic Forces for Democracy and Development party.

Tensions between govt and opposition over electoral preparations increased after opposition spokesperson Aboubacar Sylla claimed he was shot at in Conakry 4 April. Opposition-organised demonstrations held in Conakry on five separate days starting 13 April, nationwide protests 23 April; two protesters killed, dozens wounded; several arrested, tried, sentenced to short jail terms. Opposition 28 April delayed planned 30 April protests to 4 May, citing logistical constraints. Authorities and opposition traded accusations that firearms were used. Opposition 21 April demanded suspension of electoral commission’s operations and withdrawal of electoral schedule as preconditions to talks, govt rejected demands.

Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) 10 March released long-awaited elections schedule: first round of presidential elections planned 11 Oct 2015, local elections first quarter of 2016. Opposition 17 March announced measures to protest elections schedule including their 51 representatives suspending participation in National Assembly; also said they ceased to recognise CENI and local authorities. Leaders of three main opposition parties 24 March signed declaration calling for resumption of street protests; President Condé responded with invitation to dialogue.

Deadlock between govt and opposition over electoral preparations continued, EU and UN Office for West Africa began separate consultations with both sides. Protests 2-4 Feb against civil service changes in opposition stronghold Labé left some 50 injured. Assassination of former Minister Thierno Alioune Diaouné, civil society leader serving with UN, prompted accusations against regime by opposition supporters.