Conde declared victorious in Guinea

Alpha Conde, the leader of the opposition RPG (Rally of the Guinean People), has been declared the poll victor.

Alpha Conde, the leader of the opposition RPG (Rally of the Guinean People), has been declared the poll victor.

Published Nov 16, 2010

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Conakry - Veteran opposition leader Alpha Conde won 52.5 percent of the votes in a November 7 run-off in Guinea's presidential election, according to provisional results issued by the electoral commission on Monday.

The result was announced hours after supporters of Conde's rival, Cellou Dalein Diallo, who had already challenged early results from the poll, clashed with police in Guinea's capital.

Tension has been rising in the mineral-rich West African country - the world's biggest exporter of aluminium ore bauxite - as voters awaited the results of the poll, which is meant to end nearly two years of military rule.

The streets of Conakry erupted with Conde supporters celebrating the declaration. “We won,” said a Conde supporter. “(Conde) has suffered too much but that is all over now.”

Conde has been the chief critic of past Guinean leaders - Sekou Toure, Lansana Conte and former junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara - in a political career dating back to the late 1950s.

He has promised to reform the security sector and review mining contracts if elected.

The results must now be confirmed by the Supreme Court.

International observers said the poll appeared free and fair, but there has been concern that violence may break out if the loser does not accept the results. - Reuters

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