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Guinea

Open Statement on the Situation in Guinea

Attachments

The situation in Guinea requires international action if mass atrocities are to be prevented and world leaders' 2005 acceptance of their responsibility to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity is to be upheld. On 7 November, a little over one year after the 28 September 2009 massacre of 156 protestors and rape of 106 women by security forces that drew substantial international attention to the country, Guineans will vote in the much anticipated and contested run-off presidential election that will pave the way for a transition from military to democratic civilian rule. Though the first round of presidential elections - on 27 June - passed peacefully, the situation in Guinea has recently deteriorated. The run-off has been postponed three times contributing to rising tension and violence between supporters of Alpha Conde who is running for the Rally for the People of Guinea party and Cellou Diallo of the Union for the Democratic Forces of Guinea. The two candidates primarily draw their respective support from the Malinke and Peuhl ethnic groups. In recent weeks, individuals - and their businesses and homes - have been the target of violence and abuse, on the grounds of their ethnicity and perceived political affiliation. According to the United Nations (UN), two people were reported killed, scores injured, and over two thousand people have been displaced.