Guinea's President Conde to stand for controversial third term
Conakry: Guinea's ruling Rassemblement du Peuple de Guinee (RPG) party on Thursday nominated President Alpha Conde to run for a third term in October's presidential election despite months of protests.
The nomination was announced at a two-day national convention at which Conde was due to speak. The 81-year-old leader won a 2010 election in the country's first democratic transition of power and following political instability after a 2008 military coup. His victory raised hopes for democratic progress after two years of military rule and nearly a quarter of a century of the authoritarian leadership of President Lansana Conte who died in 2008.
But his tenure has been marred by a series of protests against the government and corruption and the prospect of him staying longer in office led to months of sometimes violent demonstrations. More than half the population lives under the poverty line with 20% in extreme poverty despite being a country rich in natural resources.
Guinea has the world's largest bauxite reserves plus iron, gold, diamonds and oil.The former French colony still has strong ties with France but has recently deepened relations with China which has interests in Guinea's mining sector. In 2017 China agreed to loan Guinea 20 billion US dollars in exchange for concessions on bauxite.
China is also building the 450 megawatt Souapiti dam which should significantly increase access to electricity in Guinea but which critics have said will force an estimated 16,000 people from their homes. Conde, who as an opposition leader was sentenced to death in absentia under one president and imprisoned under another, was expected to also confirm the election date of October 18 at the convention.
Guinea has the world's largest bauxite reserves plus iron, gold, diamonds and oil.The former French colony still has strong ties with France but has recently deepened relations with China which has interests in Guinea's mining sector. In 2017 China agreed to loan Guinea 20 billion US dollars in exchange for concessions on bauxite.
China is also building the 450 megawatt Souapiti dam which should significantly increase access to electricity in Guinea but which critics have said will force an estimated 16,000 people from their homes. Conde, who as an opposition leader was sentenced to death in absentia under one president and imprisoned under another, was expected to also confirm the election date of October 18 at the convention.
His first election victory was contested by the opposition. Then in 2013 there was a wave of protests over delayed legislative elections that were due to be held in 2011 and were meant to bring the country under full civilian rule. Violent protests over elections, the constitution, bad governance and poor wages have been frequent throughout Conde's leadership.
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