On eve of Guinea elections, UN officials deplore recent violence and urge peaceful process

As Guinea gets ready to hold its presidential elections tomorrow, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement deploring the recent violence in the country, and called on all national stakeholders to “uphold their commitments and ensure that the elections are conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner that reflects the will of the people of Guinea.”

“The success of the elections is the responsibility of all concerned,” said the Secretary-General in a statement issued by his Spokesperson. “In this regard, the Secretary-General calls on all political leaders and their supporters to address outstanding areas of disagreement through dialogue and resolve disputes that may arise from the electoral process through legal means.”

The Secretary-General reiterated “the commitment of the United Nations to support the electoral process and support the country's efforts to strengthen its democratic institutions.”

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein also expressed his concern.

“I have received worrying reports of violent unrest and looting in Conakry, Guinea” he said in a statement yesterday. “These new incidents come after a series of violent clashes between supporters of Guinea's ruling party and members of the opposition last week in the southwestern city of N'Zerekore, which left more than 45 people injured.”

“I condemn all acts of violence and destruction of property, and call for calm, ahead of the first round of the Presidential elections, which is expected to take place on October 11,” he continued. “I urge all political leaders to use their influence to calm their supporters and to bring an end to the current unrest.”