A top official of the Union of Democratic Forces in Guinea (UDFG) has condemned police attacks on his party supporters that left at least two dead and dozens injured, including the wife of former Prime Minister and leading presidential candidate, Cellou Dalein Diallo.
Yousouff Sylla, a special adviser to Mr. Diallo, Tuesday demanded a full-scale investigation into what he described as “nonsensical” police brutality adding that his party is determined to fight to bring change and establish true democracy and the respect of the rule of law.
“The police attacked our (supporters) since yesterday and especially this morning. Even the wife of the president, Cellou Dalein, was attacked yesterday. I just came from the hospital (and) there are approximately 60 people who are lying there wounded.”
Interim Prime Minister Jean-Marie Dore reportedly called for police protection fearing a possible attack from supporters of the UDGF that led to the clash with security forces.
Clashes between police and stone-throwing protesters in Conakry entered a second day Tuesday, five days before Guinea's scheduled presidential run-off election.
Sylla blames interim Prime Minister Dore for the clashes, a charge Mr. Dore denies.
“The first attack was organized by the Prime Minister Jean-Marie Dore. In fact, he claimed that he was worried about his house, that he might be attacked and called the police to make a blockade. And they (police) stopped Mrs. Diallo not far from his home and very close to the hospital where the first beating and attacks were made.”
Sylla said junta leader General Sekouba Konate expressed concern about the police attacks shortly after meeting with candidate Diallo.
Meanwhile, Guinea's independent electoral commission has announced another possible setback to Sunday's run-off vote, which has already delayed twice.
The commission says a lack of funds could prevent election workers from getting out to rural areas. It says there can be no election on 24th October if workers do not leave for the rural areas by Tuesday.
The election is designed to transition Guinea to civilian rule, after nearly two years of a military junta and decades of dictatorship. Diallo won the first round of voting in June with 44 percent. Conde was second with 18 percent.
Run-off votes scheduled for July and September were postponed because of logistical problems, election-related violence, and the death of the previous electoral commission chief.
