Guinea’s junta leader vows free vote, warns politicians to ensure calm
By APSaturday, June 26, 2010
Guinea’s junta leader vows free vote, urges calm
CONAKRY, Guinea — The powerful leader of Guinea’s military junta has vowed to ensure the West African nation’s first-ever free election Sunday is fair and transparent.
Gen. Sekouba Konate also says the presidential candidates must help avert violence or risk casting the nation back to its volatile past.
Konate told the 24 candidates at the presidential palace late Saturday “we can no longer continue to live like we are in a jungle, as if we are in a state without authority … too many Guineans have perished and suffered.”
He says the choice is between “peace, freedom and democracy, or disorder and instability.”
Konate is barred from running in the race as part of the military junta. Also barred are members of the civilian transitional governing council.
