CONAKRY, March 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Guinea’s President Alpha Conde has set March 22 for the constitutional referendum on his proposed reforms that opponents worry will allow him to bypass term limits and stay in power.
The vote, originally set for March 1 but delayed over local and
international concerns about its fairness, will take place at the same time
as legislative elections, a presidential decree said.
The campaign will run until March 20 despite some restrictions put in
place on rallies since the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in the
country.
The West African country has seen huge opposition rallies over the
proposal to change the constitution, which many fear will allow Conde, 82, to seek a third term in office this year.
Since the protests began in October at least 31 protesters and one
gendarme have been killed.
International powers have voiced concern over the referendum, and a US
official on Friday renewed a call for an investigation into the deaths since
October.
“The United States remains concerned about the Government of Guinea’s
plans to hold legislative elections and a constitutional referendum,” a State
Department official said.
“We continue to urge all parties to engage in nonviolent civil dialogue,”
he said.
The former French colony’s constitution now mandates two five-year
presidential terms. Under the new constitution, there would be two six-year
terms.
But critics say the new constitution would also reset the term counter to
zero, allowing Conde to run again when his second term ends this year, a
possibility the government has not denied. — NNN-AGENCIES
