Opposition led demonstrations in Conakry 4 Oct against security forces’ use of firearms against protestors.

Security forces 20 Sept clashed with protestors calling on govt to hold long-delayed local elections; two youths shot dead. Following three days of consultations with political parties and civil society, electoral commission 25 Sept said local elections would be held 4 Feb 2018. Opposition marched again 27 Sept in capital Conakry to honour protestors killed.

Leader of main opposition party Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea, Cellou Dalein Diallo, 2 Aug led thousands of opposition supporters in demonstrations in capital Conakry to demand local elections, not held since 2005 and supposed to take place in Feb according to Oct 2016 agreement; govt said one died and three injured in motorbike accidents during protest.

Opposition led by Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG) 16 July demonstrated in Conakry against repeated postponement of local elections, denounced alleged plan by President Condé’s inner circle to amend constitution to allow him to run for third term.

President Condé 7 April refused to enact electoral code, amended by National Assembly Feb to align it with Oct 2016 agreement between govt and opposition; Condé sent it back to assembly with further amendments. Opposition led by Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG) 15 April threatened to call for new strikes and break away from Oct 2016 agreement on mayoral and community elections if govt failed to organise local elections before July 2017; 20 April said it would appeal to UN, African Union and International Organisation of La Francophonie to demand agreement be implemented. Govt 21 April denied opposition accusations that it had banned UFDG rally in N’zérékoré same day.

Court decision against opposition member sparked protest in Guéckédou in south 14 March; during protest police reportedly killed two by-standers. Senegal 12 March extradited former head of presidential guard Abubakar “Toumba” Diakite to Guinea to face trial for Sept 2009 stadium massacre that left over 150 dead; court 14 March indicted him.

Main teachers’ unions 1 Feb went on strike to protest salary cuts till making deal with govt 20 Feb but internal differences remained. New protests erupted in following days; police clashed with protestors 20-21 Feb in several districts of capital, Conakry, at least seven protestors reportedly killed; schools reopened 22 Feb. President Condé late-Feb fired ministers of pre-university education, civil service and environment. Local and communal elections scheduled for Feb delayed due to disagreements on electoral process between govt and opposition; National Assembly 9 Feb began extraordinary session to overcome political deadlock, 23 Feb passed changes to electoral code to align it with Oct 2016 political agreement. Opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo 9 Feb warned that opposition parties would unite in challenging Condé if latter sought third term through constitutional reform.

Opposition MPs 4 Jan boycotted national assembly vote on new electoral code objecting to changes by presidential majority. Opposition led by Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG) 7 Jan said changes would delay local elections planned for Feb, accused presidency of “violating” 12 Oct agreement between govt and opposition on mayoral and community elections and suspended participation in committee responsible for its implementation. Leaders of UFDG and Democratic Union of Guinea announced alliance mid-Jan.

In accordance with 12 Oct agreement between govt and opposition on mayoral and community elections, govt 2 Dec sent revised electoral code to national assembly; main opposition party Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG) 10 Dec said provisions on govt’s appointment of neighbourhood chiefs violated 12 Oct agreement, demanded govt change proposed code; govt 14 Dec submitted new electoral code to national assembly.

Political dialogue between ruling majority and opposition, which was relaunched 22 Sept, suspended 30 Sept-4 Oct due to disagreement on sequencing of mayoral and community elections. Dialogue concluded 4-10 Oct: participants agreed to hold both mayoral and community elections Feb 2017, as demanded by some opposition groups, and not update voter roll. Govt pledged to compensate victims of 2013 electoral violence and free some political prisoners. Exiled former President Camara 10 Oct resigned as leader of opposition Patriotic Front for Democracy and Development (FPDD), said he would not contest upcoming polls.