President Condé 2 July said polls to be held before year- end, calendar to be established with electoral commission and International Francophonie Organisation. Condé 14/18 July met with opposition leaders Mouctar Diallo, Lansana Kouyaté; National Transitional Council Opposition UFDG leader Cellou Dalein Diallo toured Lower, Middle Guinea; several local authorities tried to impede meetings/rallies. Court 2 July charged number of suspects involved in July 2011 attack against Condé’s house, including UFDG VP Oury Bah (in absentia) and Captain Alpha Oumar Diallo “AOB” but acquitted former Chief of Staff Nouhou Thiam, other military associates of former transitional president General Sékouba Konaté; attorney general lodged appeal against decision.

Controversial loan with South African mining company Palladino revealed 3 June, prompted international criticism, early reimbursement of loan. Authorities ordered removal of roadblocks throughout country after riots over 4 June killing of cabdriver by soldier at Mamou roadblock. Social Guinean Movement 14 June called on govt to disband electoral commission (CENI) in order to resolve voter registration dispute; opposition parties criticised National Transition Council (CNT) for inaction; CNT president 21 June vowed to participate in CENI reform; opposition called on supporters to observe ‘ghost town day’ 28 June to push for CENI reconstitution, warned electoral commission against resuming voter registration without prior political consensus. Territorial Administration Minister Alhassane Condé 23 June reiterated ban on political demonstrations.

Thousands of opposition demonstrators 10 May resumed protests over govt refusal to organise transparent, credible elections; dozens of demonstrators, policemen wounded. Govt asked electoral commission to suspend controversial voter registration, 13 May organised “giant meeting” where thousands rallied to show support for ruling party Rally of the Guinea People.

Future ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda 5 April visited Conakry, said ICC will prosecute those responsible for Sept 2009 massacre if govt fails. Opposition leader Cellou Diallo 2-8 April visited Paris, said Guinea not ready for 8 July elections. Major civil society coalition 13 April called for removal of controversial CENI president. Govt repression of opposition protests at controversial preparations for legislative elections continued; police 19 April fired tear gas at women demonstrating outside CENI HQ, 20 injured. President Condé 27 April announced postponement of elections.

Following failure of political dialogue over organisation of legislative elections, electoral commission (CENI) 1 March announced poll to be held 8 July. Opposition rally in Conakry 17 March calling for free and fair elections, CENI reform, initially banned and then repressed, dozens detained; arrestees soon released and new opposition rally held peacefully 24 March.

Mediation by David Gomez ended 21 Feb; dialogue between govt and opposition resumed, Minister of Territorial Administration said elections scheduled for May, opposition said it will prevent polls if better guarantees not given. Judges 1 Feb announced indictment of Colonel Moussa Camara for role in Sept 2009 Conakry massacre, 17 Feb initiated prosecution of 50 civilians, soldiers accused of participating in 19 July attack on President Condé’s residence.

Political deadlock over legislative elections date continued; ex-Senegalese President and current Head of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie Abdou Diouf 4-6 Jan held series of high-level meetings in attempt to mediate between opposition and govt. Clashes over repeated power cuts in mining town of Kamsar 16 Jan left 1 dead, 30 injured; 2 opposition UFDG members arrested 25 Jan for reported role in violence.

National electoral commission (CENI) 16 Dec announced suspension of activity until 6 Jan, indefinite postponement of legislative elections scheduled 29 Dec, after meetings with political parties, mediators. Standoff continues within major trade union National Confederation of Guinean Workers as judiciary 16 Dec invalidated 2 competing congresses which elected 2 different leaders. Govt 31 Dec forced about 4,600 soldiers into retirement; fears move could anger army.

President Condé 15 Nov met opposition leaders, agreed to set up ad hoc commission to guide poll preparation, mentioned possible election postponement; overall little progress on dialogue following opposition’s creation of common front, reiteration of demands 22 Nov. Condé 17 Nov pardoned protesters condemned for participation in 27 Sept demonstration. Guinea Bar Association (GBA) filed complaint against Conakry governor Sékou Camara after 3 Nov arrest of president of rights NGO Foromo Frédéric Loua. Camara appeared in court 16 Nov following demonstration by GBA, 30 Nov declared guilty, fined. Govt 8 Nov issued decree banning all political demonstrations without prior official permission; 12 Nov revoked decree, allowing GBA march to go ahead.

UNSG Ban 29 Sept called on authorities to avoid excessive use of force following 27 Sept banned opposition protest that killed 4, injured dozens, saw dozens sentenced to jail. Authorities 30 Sept asked Interpol to arrest and transfer Oury Bah, key opposition figure accused of involvement in 19 July attack on President Condé’s residence. Condé 2 Oct said ready to enter talks with opposition; initial suspension of voter list revision 4 Oct welcomed by opposition, but resumed 21 Oct. Electoral commission officials 6 Oct denounced functioning of commission; 1 official sacked 17 Oct. Legislative elections still scheduled 29 Dec. Following clashes between supporters of rival figures within major trade union National Confederation of Guinean Workers (CNTG), police 25 Oct cordoned off CNTG building to prevent further violence.