Tensions between govt and opposition over electoral preparations continued: clashes between security forces and opposition supporters in Conakry left 1 policeman, 2 opposition supporters dead 2 and 3 May; at least 15 dead, 90 injured during clashes 22-25 May; President Condé 25 May dismissed security minister Maramanay Cissé, 28 May called for people to remain calm. Opposition leaders 28 May announced suspension of marches on account of school exams. President Condé 28 May announced pool of judges would investigate recent killings. Gendarme implicated in 2009 Conakry stadium massacre formally indicted with rape charges, signalling progress in case.

Tensions over proposed date for legislative polls and revision of electoral lists continued: govt, opposition agreed over UNSG Ban’s designation of SRSG for West Africa Saïd Djinnit as facilitator. President Condé 13 April announced 30 June poll date, electoral commission resumed operations despite ongoing dialogue. Opposition 18 April marched in Conakry to protest govt’s attitude, lack of dialogue and agreement concerning electoral preparations; at least 15 injured in clashes with police, 7 arrested including 2 opposition leaders. Further clashes 25 April left 1 dead. Djinnit 15-17 April visited Conakry, called on parties to stay calm.

At least one killed in violent protests 4, 5, 8 March. Opposition pulled out of talks aimed at preparing for dialogue on May elections beginning 4 March, accused govt of failing to respect terms of dialogue. Authorities dropped investigations against opposition figures relating to protests. Revision of electoral lists suspended 14 March.

Security situation deteriorated as govt-controlled electoral commission (CENI) sped up preparations ahead of 12 May polls, controversially validating choice of 2 companies to undertake revision of electoral lists, and leading to opposition protests in Conakry and other cities and 23 Feb opposition decision to pull out of electoral preparations. Govt 24 Feb invited political leaders to meet with President Condé 4 March; further opposition protests 27 Feb left at least 130 injured, including 68 security forces. General Namory Traoré 25 Feb replaced Kelefa Diallo, who died in plane crash 11 Feb, as armed forces Chief of Staff.

Trial of 33 suspected of carrying out attack on President Condé’s residence in July 2011 resumed 7 Jan; several defendants 21 Jan claimed evidence presented in court was obtained through torture. 2 main opposition coalitions lifted boycott of local electoral commissions 11 Jan, but reiterated disagreement with authorities and president of electoral commission over electoral preparations. Main opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo 21 Jan insisted protest campaign would be launched if Condé did not satisfy opposition’s demands. Condé 25 Jan denied problems with electoral list, insisted process would go on according to plan.

Controversy over electoral preparations continued as opposition coalitions 10 Dec denounced new president of electoral commission Bakary Fofana for failing to release latest audit of electoral list by International Organisation of La Francophonie. Fofana 11 Dec said elections will be held 12 May 2013, thus opening access to EU assistance funds. At least 2 killed, 52 wounded 8-11 Dec in Guéckédou town when police clashed with demonstrators protesting against local administrator, accused of abusing power to strengthen ruling RPG party. 2 suspects arrested late month in murder of Treasury Office director Aïssatou Boiro.

Treasury Office director Aïssatou Boiro, who had uncovered high-level corruption case, killed 9 Nov by unidentified gun- men wearing army uniforms. Govt 1 Nov swore in new electoral commission despite opposition concerns over panel’s composition. Opposition 7 Nov reiterated criticism of govt hiring of South African company Waymark to revise 2010 electoral register over fears of manipulation of electoral roll. Conakry Court again summoned 15 accused in July 2011 attack on President Condé’s residence to appear in court, including former chief of staff Nouhou Thiam and Oury Bah, VP of leading opposition party UFDG.

President Condé 5 Oct reshuffled govt, replacing 3 generals with civilians in move to symbolise political normalisation. Opposition coalition 30 Oct contested president’s appointments to elections commission. Govt 13-14 Oct expelled 26 northern Malians suspected of links with Islamist groups.

Following 27 Aug demonstration authorities arrested 120 opposition militants. Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) head Louceny Camara 5 Sept asked to be relieved from post. National Transition Council passed new CENI law proposed by executive, but controversy began over appointees. Opposition 20 Sept organised rally to demand inclusive negotiation on elections, 21 Sept clashed with govt supporters. Clashes erupted 23 Sept in Fria town 160km NW of Conakry after armed youths attacked suspected black market fuel salesmen, at least 20 injured.

Security forces, protesters taking part in unauthorised opposition demonstration clashed 27 Aug, police fired tear gas into home of opposition leader Cellou Diallo; opposition announced withdrawal from all state institutions. At least 6 killed 3-4 Aug when security forces fired on villagers protesting Brazilian mining company Vale’s employment of “outside” ethnic groups in Zogota, near N’Zérékoré, SE. Clashes between police, local traders demonstrating against crime, growing insecurity 7 Aug left at least 1 dead, 5 injured in Siguiri. Authorities 7 Aug launched investigation; opposition leaders 12 Aug called for independent probe; President Condé 13 Aug sacked N’Zérekoré and Siguiri prefects; former transitional PM Jean-Marie Doré 21 Aug accused govt of having “planned and carried out killings in cold blood”.