Guinean president calls for unity

Guinea's President Alpha Conde.

Guinea's President Alpha Conde.

Published Oct 2, 2012

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Guinean President Alpha Conde urged the west African nation to unite and allow for long-delayed legislative polls in a speech marking the 54th anniversary of independence.

“Guinea needs appeasement and consensus. We all belong to the same nation, no matter how old we are, what we believe in and where we live,” he said in a televised address late on Monday.

He said “polls need to be held as soon as possible”.

“All political movements in the country need to work towards this goal,” the president said.

Differences over the conditions of the vote between Conde's regime and the opposition have repeatedly delayed a legislative election that was due to have been held two years ago and led to violent protests.

Guinea's opposition recently obtained equal representation with the regime in the electoral commission and the dismissal of its controversial chairman.

Legislative polls were last held in June 2002 when the troubled country was still ruled by Lansana Conte, who died in 2008 after 24 years in power.

A national transitional council has served as parliament ever since. - AFP

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