ECOWAS Leaders Call for Run-Off Election in Guinea

17 September 2010
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Economic Community of West African States (Abuja)
press release

Abuja - Nigeria — At its Extraordinary Session held on 17 September 2010 in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government expressed concern with the recent developments in the political situation in Guinea and took note of the postponement of the date of the second round of the presidential elections previously scheduled for 19 September 2010.

The Authority acknowledged the efforts made in order to mitigate the shortcomings that were observed during the first round of the election and acknowledged the challenges that should be taken up to ensure smooth running of the electoral process in a peaceful environment.

Consequently, it urged the CENI to take all necessary measures with a view to identifying the technical and logistical challenges that are still pending in preparation for the second round. In order not to jeopardize the progress already made in the process for a return to constitutional order in Guinea, the Authority urged all stakeholders to work together, inclusively and, to immediately announce a date for the effective holding of the second round of Presidential election, which should take place not later than three weeks from now.

To that end, it urged the population of Guinea to observe restraint, tolerance and respect for law and order. More specifically, the Authority strongly appealed to Mr. Cellou Dalein Diallo and Prof Alpha Conde, the two candidates contesting the second round of the presidential elections, to strictly comply with provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding signed on 3 September 2010 in Ouagadougou under the aegis of HE Blaise Compaore, President of the Faso and ECOWAS Mediator in the Guinean crisis, and to ensure that they conduct a patriotic and responsible campaign that would contribute to the preservation of the cohesion and unity of Guinea.

The Authority expressed its sincere gratitude to HE Blaise Compaore, President of the Faso, for the excellent work that he continues to carry out on behalf of ECOWAS and encouraged him to continue his mediation efforts for the resolution of the crisis in Guinea.

The ECOWAS Heads of State and Government reiterated their support for General Sékouba Konaté, President of the National Transitional Council (CNT), for his commitment to the crisis resolution process in Guinea.

Read the original article on Ecowas.

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