Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Conakry (Agenzia Fides) – "We are still experiencing the growing pains of a young democracy that is trying to fulfill the population's desire to participate in credible elections," Fides was told by a source from the Church of the Republic of Guinea, where the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC ) decided to postpone the second round of presidential elections to be held September 19. The postponement was announced on September 15, after a meeting of the INEC spokesman, Thierno Ceydou Bayo, with international observers, interim Prime Minister Jean-Marie Dore, and two remaining candidates vying for the ballot: Cellou Dalein Diallo who in the first round, on June 27, had obtained 43.69% of the vote, and Alpha Conde, who won 18.25% of the votes.
"The interim Prime Minister, Jean-Marie Dore, was the one who convinced the Electoral Commission to admit that half the country have not received ballots, creating a situation that severely weakens the possibility of holding democratic and valid elections," says the source of Fides.
"The people remained calm because both candidates have agreed to the second round, hoping to strengthen their own electoral positions," continues our source.
"There are two unknowns to consider: the attitude of the international community and that of the army," reports the source. "In the first case, I hope that the UN and other international bodies do not exert pressure to meet the deadline of the September 19 election... You must instead commit to ensure that Guineans are respected in their desire to vote in a truly free, democratic, and transparent election. In the second case, the army will continue to be the guarantor of the agreements that led to elections or will some official emerge claiming a political role, accusing the civilians of being incapable of governing the country? Thus, the evolution of events in the coming days should be closely monitored," concludes the source of Fides. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 16/09/2010)
