ALN statement on the situation in Guinea

The President of the Africa Liberal Network (ALN), Hon. Olivier Kamitatu Etsu, deplores the brutal repression by the forces of order against the peaceful demonstration organised by the Guinean opposition on 27 February. This violence against the populations led to the destruction of property, two hundred injured and the death of eight civilians and a policeman. The President  conveys his condolences to the grieving families and remains extremely concerned by the reported continuation of the violence.
The ALN and its members unequivocally condemn the use of live rounds by the Guinean security forces, and calls for those responsible for injury and death to be brought to justice. Further, the ALN strongly condemns attacks on journalists, members of civil society and politicians.
The ALN support the decision of its members – Union des Forces Démocratiques de Guinée (UFDG), Union des Forces Républicaines (UFR), and Parti de l’Unité et du Libéralisme Social (PULS) – as well as other opposition parties, to withdraw from the discussions until their legitimate grievances are addressed properly, through a meaningful and inclusive dialogue of all stakeholders and facilitated by a respected and impartial broker.
The ALN believes that in the current conditions the legislative elections scheduled for 12th May 2013 will be neither free nor democratic, and may lead to further violence jeopardising the stability and unity of the country.
The ALN calls on President Condé to consider the legitimate views of the opposition and ensure that – two years following his own controversial election – Guinea finally has a parliament which reflects popular will.
The ALN calls on key technical and financial partners such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU), United Nations (UN), La Francophonie, and the European Union (EU) to encourage the Guinean authorities to organise open and transparent elections in a peaceful environment.
The ALN will work with its member parties and with Liberal International to ensure that all support is given towards building consensus and implementing an electoral process which leads to democratic polls of which the results are accepted by all parties.
The ALN calls on the Guinean authorities to monitor the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and that any actors implicated in the attacks on peaceful are brought to justice and sanctioned with the full force of the law.
Cape Town, Monday 4 March 2013