Ban urges people of Guinea to accept presidential poll results

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged the people of Guinea to accept the results of the presidential run-off election held eight days ago and to resolve any differences through legal means.

The country’s Independent Electoral Commission today declared Alpha Condé the winner of the second round of the poll, which was held on 7 November. The other candidate was Cellou Dalein Diallo.

“The Secretary-General calls on the international community to provide Guinea with concrete support as the country embarks on a new phase towards peace consolidation and development,” a statement issued by his spokesperson said.

Mr. Ban reaffirmed the full support of the United Nations to the West African country during the post-electoral period, and appealed to Guineans to work for a peaceful and prosperous nation.

The run-off poll followed the first round of the election in June. It was the final stage of the interim Government’s efforts to restore democracy after Captain Moussa Dadis Camara seized power in a coup in 2008 following the death of long-time president Lansana Conté.