Guinea’s opposition has claimed that at least 10 people have been killed after clashing with security forces on Sunday during the controversial referendum and local level elections.
Local news reporting showed that the deaths occurred in the capital, Conakry after police fired tear gas to disperse protesters.
Most of the protesters were opposition supporters who attacked several polling stations in Conakry to delay the start of voting in some districts.
Guinea’s President Alpha Conde refused to call of the controversial referendum on Sunday that could allow him to stay longer in power.
He defied the coronavirus pandemic to hold the referendum and local level elections.
Guinea has already confirmed coronavirus cases with fears the outbreak could increase should people gather for the election.
Almost 5 million registered voters are participated in the vote with civil society groups earlier calling for a postponement after the pandemic.
President Alpha Conde has come under intense pressure since last year when reports emerged that he could seek a third term in office.
The referendum intends changing the country’s constitutional to possibly prolong Conde’s stay in power.
The opposition has opposed the intended referendum, triggering several protests that have ended deadly in some instances.
Alpha Conde is 82 years of age and is due to end his second and final five-year term next year.
He became Guinea’s first democratically-elected leader in 2010 and was re-elected in 2015.
But he has not ruled out running again. Conde has however asked his government to look into drafting a new constitution.
He has said that there was the need to overhaul the constitution to take address pressing social issues, such as banning female genital mutilation.
Source: Africafeeds.com
