Dispute over electoral preparations intensified, dialogue with opposition stalled. Opposition early-Jan accused President Condé of unlawfully modifying law regulating National Institution for the Defense of Human Rights (INIDH) to his advantage; local rights NGO 6 Jan withdrew representation from INIDH. Opposition held anti-Condé rallies 7 and 22 Jan, restated demands for electoral commission reform.

Tensions between govt and opposition persisted ahead of 2015 general elections. Electoral commission 9 Dec discussed with selected parliamentarians €57mn election budget; opposition interpreted decision as sign govt avoiding international oversight, 18 Dec accused govt of planned electoral fraud. Justice Minister Cheik Sacko offered to resume discussions with opposition after opposition threatened nationwide protest 15 Dec if electoral reforms not enacted; opposition 22 Dec set conditions for dialogue, maintained call for 7 Jan protest rally. Govt 18 Dec signed contract with new electoral roll operator GEMALTO.

Opposition leaders 7 Nov issued communiqué announcing resumed political activities, noting ruling party campaigning has continued despite Ebola crisis. Minister of Territorial Administration Alhassane Condé 21 Nov said July draft agreement on elections will be signed as soon as possible; opposition highlighted their 7 Nov demands for electoral reform exceeded July agreement stipulations, said govt has until 15 Dec to meet demands or risk countrywide protests. President Condé 26 Nov said protests not tolerated during Ebola outbreak. Electoral Commission (CENI) 13 Nov announced French company Gemalto as new electoral roll operator.

Political, social, and economic impact of Ebola epidemic continued; President Condé 3 Oct suggested delayed elections; suggestion echoed by pro-regime civil society leader Dansa Kourouma and senior member of ruling party Rally of the People of Guinea (RPG) Lansana Komara. Condé 22 Oct reshuffled cabinet, replaced energy and security ministers.

Opposition Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG) figure Amadou Oury Diallo murdered 15 Sept in Conakry; UFDG said murder political assassination. After pro-opposition websites asserted President Condé had health problems, Condé accused opposition of fuelling tension, attempting to push for military coup. Dialogue on electoral preparations remained stalled. Condé 9 Sept declared “war on Ebola”; 8 Ebola outreach delegates killed by villagers in Womey 16 Sept; 27 suspects arrested 24 Sept.

Electoral Commission (CENI) 18 Aug selected French company to help select operator to review electoral roll ahead of local elections; opposition criticised lack of political consultation, 28 Aug called for commission’s dissolution. Coordination of Extra-Parliamentary Opposition (COEP) 5 Aug announced end of cooperation with parliamentary opposition citing refusal to discuss common political platform and code of conduct. Human Rights NGOs 4 Aug called for release of 5 military officers held without trial since July 2011 for attack on President Condé’s home; 5 Aug deplored lack of progress in investigations into 2012 killing of civilians in Zogota by security forces. Govt 13 Aug declared state of emergency following Ebola outbreak, tightened border control.

Restart of govt-opposition talks on electoral process and opposition return to parliament 4 July; verbal agreement reached 5 July quickly vaporised as opposition 11 July accused govt of omitting key verbal deals in concluding statement; opposition 12 July submitted own version, signature pending. As Ebola killed hundreds, tensions continued between authorities and health organisations; Red Cross, WHO, MSF reported denied access to villages around Guéckédou. Guinea was declared in full conformity with Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) 2 July.

Opposition withdrew from Assembly 9 June following govt’s cancellation of authorised Union of Republican Forces (UFR) meeting, announced resumption of street protests in absence of dialogue on electoral preparations; members of cabinet accused opposition of trying to sabotage multi-billion dollar Rio Tinto mining project awaiting ratification by Assembly. Electoral commission 12 June began 10-day nationwide correc- tion of much-criticised electoral list, but opposition leadership rejected process, dismissing it as unilateral move engineered by ruling Rally of Guinean People (RPG). Territorial administration minister 21 June invited opposition to talks on electoral process; talks opened 26 June, international facilitators absent.

Opposition party Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG) 11 May insisted local elections take place in 2014, rather than delay until 2015. Other major opposition leader, Sidya Touré, insisted presidential election should take place no later than 27 June 2015, called for single opposition candidate, reiterated concerns about lack of progress in electoral preparations. Authorities 26 May signed investment frameworks with international companies to exploit iron ore in Simandou area.

National transport union strike 7 April protested racketeering by security forces at roadblocks. Govt 17 April announced revocation of 2 iron ore concessions granted to Beny Steinmetz Resources Group (BSGR) due to corruption allegations.