Guinea Forces Block Opposition Rally

Posted September 27th, 2011 at 8:26 am (UTC-5)
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Security forces in Guinea have blocked an opposition rally called to protest the government's handling of coming parliamentary elections.

Opposition supporters had planned to hold a protest in the capital, Conakry, on Tuesday, but police and paramilitary forces prevented them from gathering.

A coalition of opposition groups have accused President Alpha Conde attempting to rig the election to ensure he wins a majority in parliament. The election is expected to be held by the end of this year.

Mr. Conde took office in December after winning Guinea's first democratic election since the country won independence in 1958.

Ahead of the planned demonstration, Guinea's military ordered its soldiers to stay in their barracks.

The military has been accused of taking part in past massacres of opposition demonstrators. Wednesday marks the two-year anniversary of a massacre at a Conakry stadium in which more than 150 people were killed.

A group of military officers ruled the country at that time, after seizing power nine months earlier.

A transition government led by General Sekouba Konate steered the country to a presidential election last year.