NDI Condemns Assassination Attempt on Guinean President

NDI has condemned the assassination attempt against President Alpha Condé of the Republic of Guinea at his residence in Conakry during the early hours of July 19.

"Violence and political assassinations have no place in democratic societies,” said Chris Fomunyoh, NDI senior associate and regional director for Central and West Africa. “As Guinea engages in democratization efforts, its nascent institutions need to be strengthened through continued dialogue among representatives of all sectors of society."

He noted that close to 70 percent of Guineans participated in last November’s presidential election, a poll that was deemed transparent and fair by a majority of national and international observers, which was a first in the country’s history. The losing candidate in the presidential run-off, Cellou Dalein Diallo, accepted the result and congratulated President Condé on his victory.

Fomunyoh said that last year’s election was a powerful example of a desire for democratic change in a region that has suffered under authoritarian rule, stolen elections and election-related violence.

“This major achievement should be cherished and nurtured with the organization of legislative elections announced by the government to take place before the end of the year,” Fomunyoh said.

NDI is partnering with Guinean democrats from across the political spectrum to support preparations for those elections. The Institute is assisting political parties to improve their ability to compete in the election process and to review and revise the country’s political party code of conduct. NDI is also helping the Consortium for Domestic Election Observation in Guinea (Consortium pour l’Observation Domestique des Elections en Guinee – CODE) to prepare a nationwide observation of the upcoming polls. Finally, NDI continues to support efforts to increase opportunities for women in politics.

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Published July 21, 2011