Guinea Declares State of Emergency

West Africa  |  11.17.10   By PoliticsAfrica Staff

Guinea’s military has declared a state of emergency following violence after a tense presidential election.

Nouhou Thiam, armed forces chief, read the decree Wednesday on state television.

He said the decree prohibits civilians from circulating on the streets, but did not give details.

Thiam also said only military and security forces will have unrestricted movement.

Thiam indicated that the decree would be enforced until the Supreme Court declares final results from the November 7 poll.

The Supreme Court has 8 days to do so after initial results were announced late Monday–allowing for a decision by next week.

The announcement of the decree is seen as a response by officials to the post-electoral violence that has marred what was supposed to be a momentous occasion for the West African nation.

Ethnic riots erupted when initial results of the polls were announced.

Two main ethnic groups, the Malinke and the Peul make-up the bulk of Guinea’s population.

Presidential candidate Alpha Conde, a Malinke, was declared winner in the runoff, prompting Peul supporters of his opponent Cellou Dalein Diallo to riot.

They burned tires, barricaded roads and destroyed the homes and businesses of Malinke neighbors.

Diallo has challenged the results, citing massive voter fraud.

The election was billed as the country’s first democratic election since independence from France in 1958

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