The opposition candidate in Guinea, Cellou Dalein Diallo, has declared himself the winner of the recently concluded presidential elections which took place in the West African state on Saturday. This move has now set the stage for a showdown between him and the country’s incumbent, President Alpha Condé.
Diallo made the announcement the Monday after the hotly contested elections while speaking at a press conference in the capital city of Conakry.
“Despite all the anomalies of this election…and in view of the results that came out of the polls, I emerge victorious from this presidential election,” Diallo said while addressing supporters at the event who chanted “Cellou, the president.”
The presidential candidate, who ran on a ticket from the UFDG party, also invited members of the Guinean public “who love peace and justice to stay vigilant and committed to defending this democratic victory,” echoing statements he had made earlier hinting that Condé could “cheat” his way back into office.
Diallo, 68, is the main challenger to Guinea’s 82-year-old incumbent President Alpha Conde, who is seeking a third term in office after a constitutional change in March.
Guinea Electoral Authority and Opposition Disagree
Meanwhile, Bakary Mansare, the vice-president of the electoral authority in Guinea, granted an interview with AFP where he stated that Diallo’s self-proclaimed victory was “null and void.”
Explaining further, Mansare reiterated that “It is not up to a candidate or a person to proclaim himself the winner outside the bodies defined by the law.”
Likewise, Condé’s RPG party also said in a statement on Monday that it condemned “with the utmost firmness the irresponsible and dangerous declaration” by Diallo. It called for its activists to remain calm amidst the ongoing chaos.
Diallo was formerly a Prime Minister of Guinea under authoritarian leader Lansana Conté. He unsuccessfully challenged Condé in both 2010 and 2015, in elections his party activists are convinced were rigged.
Before vote counting began on Sunday, Diallo’s activists said their observers had been obstructed at polling stations and alleged ballot-box stuffing.
If needed, the second round of voting for Guinea is scheduled for November 24.
