Presented by the African Conflict Prevention Programme, Pretoria

On 27 June 2010, Guineans at home and abroad went to the polls to elect one of 24 aspiring leaders as the new Head of State in what is generally considered to be the most open presidential election since the country regained its independence in 1958. Coming after a tumultuous military rule and decades of authoritarian governments, the peaceful manner in which both the voters and candidates conducted themselves has been widely praised. As none of the candidates managed to obtain the absolute majority required to win the poll in the first round, a run-off election will be organised between the two top candidates. However, some candidates claim that the poll was marred by irregularities, accusing both the electoral commission and the interim Head of State, and have lodged complaints to the Supreme Court, while some have threatened to take to the streets. The seminar intends to unpack the historical meaning of the poll, analyse its conduct and look ahead to the run-off poll and beyond.

Presenter: Dr Issaka K. Souaré, Senior Researcher, ACPP-ISS
Chair: Dr David Zounmenou, Senior Researcher, ACPP-ISS

Please note that discussions occur under ISS Rules.  Participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed without his/her express permission.